Regen Biopharma Inc (RGBAD)

[dmort545]

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/regen-biopharma-inc-files-utility-patent-application-on-nr2f6-silenced-car-t-cell-for-solid-tumors-2016-12-15

Company Augments Scope of its NR2F6 Program

SAN DIEGO, December 15, 2016 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- SAN DIEGO, December 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Regen BioPharma Inc. (otcqb:RGBP), (otcqb:RGBPP) announced today the filing of a [provisional/nonprovisional] utility patent application with the United States Patents and Trademark Office covering NR2F6-silenced CAR T cells. While previous work demonstrated that methodologies developed by Regen and covered under its issued patent #9,091,696 are useful in stimulation of T cell activity, the current patent further modifies T cells to express molecules that act as a localized "danger signal" to the immune system. CAR T cells are T Cells (T lymphocytes) which are genetically engineered to produce chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) on their surface. CARs are proteins that allow the T cells to recognize an antigen on targeted tumor cells.

Remarkable clinical results have been obtained by numerous investigators utilizing CAR T cells in the treatment of leukemias and lymphomas [[1]] . Unfortunately, results for solid tumors have been limited [[2]] . This is thought to occur because solid tumors produce numerous immune-suppressive factors that coax the cells that surround the tumor to protect the tumor against the immune response. By utilizing NR2F6-silencing methods, Regen believes it has developed a new method of augmenting the cells that surround the tumor to allow for immune destruction of the tumor to occur.

"When we look at other chronic diseases, it is important to note that effective treatment protocols always involve multifactorial attacks on the disease process. This is best illustrated in the case of HIV where only after the introduction of the "cocktail therapy" approach have significant extensions of lifespan been achieved," said Harry Lander, Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer of Regen BioPharma. "By activating the adaptive arm of the immune system, in the form of NR2F6-silenced T cells, we anticipate achieving synergistic effects in killing of solid tumors, something which has not been observed in previous CAR-T approaches."


Augmentation of CAR-T cells has previously been performed with cytokines such as IL-12 [[3]] , however, IL-12 is one signal out of many signals involved in alerting the immune system to "danger". However, by inhibiting NR2F6 in these CAR-T cells, it is very likely that multiple cytokines will secreted leading to an augmented killing effect.

"At Regen BioPharma we are committed to developing the next generation of immune-oncology. By combining silencing of the immune checkpoint NR2F6 with this advanced CAR-T approach, we continue at the cutting edge of intellectual property in this extremely promising and rapidly evolving field," said David Koos, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Regen BioPharma.