(Alliance News) - PureTech Health PLC said Tuesday the US Patent & Trademark Office has issued a patent covering the company's internal immuno-oncology product candidate, LYT-200.
PureTech said the patent covers "compositions of matter directed to fully human anti-galectin-9 antibodies". The company said it will develop these antibodies to fight "difficult-to-treat" cancers including pancreatic, colorectal, and cholangiocarcinoma, among other cancer types.
The company intends to file an investigational new drug application for LYT-200 in the first half of 2020.
"PureTech's galectin-9 antibody has been designed to address the challenges encountered with current immuno-oncology treatments due to redundancies in the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment. Our now patented antibody composition leverages a new mechanism of action to disrupt the immunosuppressive environment, potentially enabling the body's immune system to attack cancers that have historically been hard to treat," said PureTech Chief Scientific Officer Joe Bolen.
Bolen added: "This patent provides important coverage for our immuno-oncology programme, and we look forward to continuing the development of LYT-200 to address the tremendous patient need that exists."
Shares in Puretech Health were down 0.2% in London on Tuesday at 230.00 pence each.
PureTech (PRTC)