CIRCADIAN has been granted a key strategic patent for the exclusive use of the VEGF-D protein and VEGF-D antibodies in Europe for angiogenic applications.
According to Circadian, this announcement means it now has VEGF-D patents in both Europe and the US, which are the world’s largest markets.
Circadian’s subsidiary Vegenics was granted European Patent 1749836 covering the use of VEGF-D protein and antibodies to VEGF-D in a broad spectrum of therapeutic indications, including the treatment of cancer.
Circadian says the VEGF-D target for cancer and other diseases is closely related to VEGF-A, the target of Genentech’s Avastin, a leading cancer therapy.
Circadian is currently developing its VGX-200 series of humanised VEGF-D antibodies as anticancer agents.
Avastin blocks the interaction of VEGF-A with its receptors, primarily VEGFR-2, slowing tumour growth by inhibiting blood vessel recruitment into the tumour.
VEGF-C and VEGF-D inhibitors blocks the alternative ligands for VEGFR-2. As such, they have the potential to block blood vessel growth in tumours resistant to anti-VEGF-A therapy and, when used in combination with drugs like Avastin, may completely shut down angiogenesis mediated by VEGFR-2, resulting in greater clinical efficacy.
VEGF-C and VEGF-D also bind and activate VEGFR-3 which drives lymphatic vessel and tumour-associated blood vessel growth. Inhibitors of VEGF-C, VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 thus have therapeutic potential to inhibit not only primary tumour growth through their anti-angiogenic activities, but to also inhibit tumour spread or metastasis via the lymphatic vessels.
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