OncoSec Medical gets new patent in China for cancer therapy platform

OncoSec Medical (OTCBB:ONCS) said today that it has snagged a new patent in China for its OMS electroporation platform for cancer therapy. 

The new method of use and device patent was issued by the state intellectual property office in China. 

The patent has the potential to expand the company's commercial opportunities for "minimally invasive and surgical procedures" to treat solid tumors in a large market such as China. 

OncoSec’s ElectroOncology therapies address are less invasive and expensive therapy for treating cancer, and avoid the detrimental effects of current cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

The OncoSec Medical System (OMS) applies short electric impulses to the tumor, causing pores to open in the membrane of cancer cells, which significantly increases the uptake of the immunotherapy or chemotherapy delivered. 

"The issuance of this patent is significant, because the Chinese authorities have given the company patent approval for our claims regarding the OMS electroporation device itself, as well as the method of use," said OncoSec's president and CEO, Punit Dhillon. 

"These are broad claims, wherein OncoSec now has the ability to deliver various therapeutic agents through its electroporation device, including bleomycin and DNA IL-12, as well as to treat tumors with these agents following surgical resection. 

"Thus, this patent will act as a part of the company's core strategy as we continue to develop and build our commercialization strategy in China, one of the largest emerging oncology markets."

The company noted that "numerous research studies" have concluded that cancer has now become a leading cause of mortality in China, representing 25 per cent of all deaths in urban areas and 21 per cent in rural areas. 

OncoSec's therapeutic approaches, as potential adjuncts to surgery, have been shown to selectively kill cancer cells that may exist in the neighboring tissue, which can result in a reduced rate of recurrence and has the potential to complement surgical procedures.