SAN ANTONIO, July 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- GenSpera, Inc.
(OTCQB: GNSZ), a leader in developing prodrug therapeutics for the
treatment of cancer, announces the issuance of a United States patent entitled "Methods and
compositions for the detection of cancer". The patent US 8,772,226
B2 was issued July 8, 2014.
The patent contains composition claims for
thapsigargin-containing prodrugs that can be radiolabelled and then
activated by the enzymes Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA),
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) or Human Glandular Kallikrein 2
(hK2). The patent also claims methods of using such radiolabelled
prodrugs for the detection, imaging and treatment of cancers in
humans.
The co-inventors on the patent include Drs. Samuel Denmeade, John
Isaacs and Soren Brogger
Christensen who are all members of GenSpera's Scientific
Advisory Board.
"As we evaluate G-202 further in the liver cancer and
glioblastoma Phase II clinical trials it is clear that the
technology described in this patent, when fully developed, would
greatly aid in the selection of patients most likely to benefit
from G-202 treatment," said Craig
Dionne, PhD, GenSpera's CEO. "The issuance of this patent
also exemplifies the breadth and diversity of GenSpera's
intellectual property portfolio."
View the full patent:
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8772226.PN.&OS=PN/8772226&RS=PN/8772226.
About GenSpera
GenSpera's technology platform combines a powerful,
plant-derived cytotoxin (thapsigargin) with a prodrug delivery
system that provides for the targeted release of drug candidates
within a tumor. Unlike typical chemotherapeutic agents,
thapsigargin results in cell death irrespective of the rate of cell
division, which may provide an effective approach to kill both
fast- and slow-growing cancers. GenSpera's lead drug candidate,
G-202, is activated by the enzyme PSMA, which is found at high
levels in the vasculature of liver and glioblastoma cancers and in
the vasculature of almost all other solid tumors. G-202 is
therefore expected to have potential efficacy in a wide variety of
tumor types.
G-202 Phase II clinical trials are underway in both
hepatocellular carcinoma and glioblastoma patients.
For more information, please visit the company's website:
http://www.genspera.com or follow us on Twitter @GenSperaNews.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking
Information
This news release may contain forward-looking statements.
Investors are cautioned that statements in this press release
regarding potential applications of GenSpera's technologies
constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the
development and commercialization of potential products,
uncertainty of clinical trial results or regulatory approvals or
clearances, need for future capital, dependence upon collaborators
and maintenance of our intellectual property rights. Actual results
may differ materially from the results anticipated in these
forward-looking statements. Additional information on potential
factors that could affect our results and other risks and
uncertainties will be detailed from time to time in GenSpera's
periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
CONTACT:
Company:
Craig Dionne, PhD, CEO
GenSpera, Inc.
+1-210-479-8112
Investors:
Steve Gersten
Capital Markets Group
Steve@CapMarketsGroup.com
+1-813-926-8920
Media:
Dawn Van Zant
800-665-0411
SOURCE GenSpera, Inc.