Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCEA) announced today that a new, broad U.S. patent for bispecific antibodies targeting chitinase 3-like-1 (CHi3L1) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), a promising new approach that has emerged from prior breakthrough discoveries that CHi3L1 is a “master regulator” of tumor growth in multiple visceral cancers, has been issued to one of its Scientific Co-founders, Dr. Jack A. Elias, MD.
Patent broadens protection around Ocean Biomedical’s first-in-class anti-CHi3L1 antibody to include new bispecific approaches targeting immune checkpoints, with potential application in multiple primary, metastatic, and malignant cancers.
Providence, RI, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCEA) announced today that a new, broad U.S. patent for bispecific antibodies targeting chitinase 3-like-1 (CHi3L1) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), a promising new approach that has emerged from prior breakthrough discoveries that CHi3L1 is a “master regulator” of tumor growth in multiple visceral cancers, has been issued to one of its Scientific Co-founders, Dr. Jack A. Elias, MD.
Ocean Biomedical’s bispecific antibody is a cutting-edge immunotherapy approach that demonstrates promising synergy by combining Ocean’s proprietary anti-CHi3L1 antibody with existing immune checkpoint inhibitors that target PD-1 in a bispecific-antibody format. As seen in the image below, these bispecific antibodies have been shown to synergistically kill tumor cells at levels dramatically exceeding the effectiveness of either the anti-CHi3L1 antibody or the anti-PD-1 antibody alone—in multiple cancer types and multiple animal models.
Ocean Biomedical’s breakthrough comes at a critical time for the evolving immuno-oncology sector, which is working to realize the promise of immune checkpoint inhibition. Current challenges include the limited number of cancer patients demonstrating initial responses and the significant number of responders relapsing following classic immune checkpoint blockade. Ocean Biomedical’s new approach combines Ocean’s anti-CHi3L1 antibody with classic immune checkpoint blockade, and the initial magnitude and duration of response from Ocean’s bispecific immunotherapy treatment in multiple animal models of visceral cancer was synergistically enhanced compared to immune checkpoint blockade alone.
The new bispecific patent has been granted for prostate cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, ovarian cancer, kidney cancer, breast cancer, glioblastoma, melanoma, and lung cancer. The newest claims dovetail with and fortify recently issued patents with claims coverage focused on composition of matter of monoclonal antibodies targeting and inhibiting CHi3L1.
“This bispecific antibody pathway discovery is a monumental leap forward. By controlling CHi3L1 and concurrently targeting PD-1, you don’t just control one anti-cancer pathway, you simultaneously control many anti-cancer pathways,” said Dr. Elias. “We believe our discoveries will advance cancer research, and eventually treatment and patient outcomes, forward.”
“Seeing Dr. Elias’ revolutionary work receive this important patent is exciting. The Ocean Biomedical team is working to take the systematic steps needed to progress the anti-CHi3L1 bispecific antibodies into the clinic to potentially become powerful new cancer therapeutics,” commented Ocean Biomedical’s CEO, Elizabeth Ng.
“These discoveries have the potential to save thousands of lives of people affected not just by lung metastasis and melanoma but also by glioblastoma and other forms of cancer,” commented Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria, Ocean Biomedical’s co-founder and Executive Chairman.
Dr. Jack A. Elias is the former Chair of Yale’s Department of Internal Medicine, Dean Emeritus of Medicine and Biological Sciences at Brown University, and current Professor of Translational Science, Medicine and Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. He is a leading pulmonary care specialist and research pioneer. In 2019, Dr. Elias co-founded Ocean Biomedical with several Brown University colleagues, alums, and experienced pharma business leaders to help address major unmet medical needs by accelerating more discovery science into needed therapeutics.
About Cancer Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is an evolving approach to cancer therapeutics that enhances traditional treatments by activating a person’s own immune system to fight cancer. Immunotherapy can boost the immune system to find and attack cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies are immune system proteins created to bind to specific targets on cancer cells or cells in the tumor growth environment. Ocean Biomedical’s monoclonal antibody targets a polypeptide (CHi3L1) that is associated with accelerated tumor growth in a wide range of cancers. By suppressing CHi3L1, Ocean Biomedical has been able to suppress primary and metastatic tumor growth in multiple animal models. Ocean Biomedical’s innovative bispecific immunotherapy treatment combines Ocean’s proprietary anti-CHi3L1 antibody with existing immune checkpoint inhibitors and induces cancer cell apoptosis by simultaneously targeting the CHi3L1 and PD-1 glycoproteins. As reflected in the newly issued patent, this unique immunotherapy approach has potential use in multiple forms of visceral cancers.
About Ocean Biomedical
Ocean Biomedical, Inc. is a Providence, Rhode Island-based biopharma company with an innovative business model that accelerates the development and commercialization of scientifically compelling assets from research universities and medical centers. Ocean Biomedical deploys the funding and expertise to move new therapeutic candidates efficiently from the laboratory to the clinic, to the world. Ocean Biomedical is currently developing five promising discoveries that have the potential to achieve life-changing outcomes in lung cancer, brain cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, and the prevention and treatment of malaria. The Ocean Biomedical team is working on solving some of the world’s toughest problems, for the people who need it most.
To learn more, visit www.oceanbiomedical.com.
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