San Antonio Business Journal

A San Antonio development stage oncology company has won a new patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to protect the intellectual property of its lead cancer drug.

GenSpera Inc. (OTCBB: GNSZ) has been issued US Patent 7,767,648. The patent covers the delivery method for G-202, a drug that is designed to be selectively activated in tumors by an enzyme present in the tumor’s blood vessels. In preclinical testing, G-202 was shown to ablate tumors in animal models of breast cancer, prostate cancer and kidney cancer. GenSpera’s has combined a plant-derived cytotoxin with a delivery system that releases the drug only within the tumor. GenSpera’s drug delivery platform already is protected by seven patents with four additional patents pending.

The drug compound is currently undergoing Phase I clinical testing in patients whose disease has progressed after other treatments. Those trials are currently being conducted at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Wisconsin. GenSpera expects to complete Phase I trials in the second quarter of 2011. Successful clinical testing is a precursor to earning formal FDA approval to sell G-202 on the market.

“The issuance of this patent complements our previously issued composition of matter patent for G-202 and demonstrates our commitment to building a secure IP portfolio for GenSpera,” says GenSpera CEO and President Craig Dionne.

GenSpera owns and controls all rights to G-202 and anticipates forming a strategic partnership to help the company proceed with future clinical trials.