HaemaLogiX announces issuance of Australian patent for KMA.CAR

The international patent application filed in late 2016, “Kappa myeloma antigen chimeric antigen receptors and uses thereof” has been granted in Australia; the first region to grant this patent. 

The patent claims cover compositions and methods for treating KMA-expressing malignancies including chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and T cells containing CARs (CAR T-cells). The patent also claims methods and compositions comprising CAR T-cells that co-express other anti-tumoral agents including cytokines and antibodies. 

The current CAR T cell therapy in development at HaemaLogiX aims to target multiple myeloma, which is an incurable malignancy of plasma cells that infiltrate into the bone marrow. Chimeric Antigen Receptor bearing T cells (CAR T cells) represent a recently developed approach to individualised medicine; CAR T-cells are made by collecting the white blood cells (T cells) from a patient with multiple myeloma. These cells are cultured in the laboratory, where new genetic code is inserted. This code causes the T cells to express, (produce) a unique antibody on their cell surface that will specifically bind to the cancer target on the malignant myeloma cells. When infused back into the patient, KMA.CAR T cells should produce a localised, tumor-specific immune response that aims to eliminate the myeloma cells expressing Kappa Myeloma Antigen (KMA) on the cell surface. The first batch of the KMA.CAR construct is being manufactured for testing in in vitro and in vivo models.

This patent is under review in 9 other countries, including the US and Europe.