Clinical-stage immunotherapy company HCW Biologics (NASDAQ: HCWB) was granted a new US patent which contains methods of use claims directed to administering the company’s clinical-stage bifunctional immunotherapeutic to treat cancer. However, the patent also includes methods of use claims for killing or reducing the number of senescent cells in cancer patients.
Accumulation of senescent cells modifies the microenvironment in tissues and organs and creates chronic, sterile inflammation, which drives aging and age-related diseases. This patent boosts HCW’s position in the field of inflammaging – the company is focused on discovering and developing novel immunotherapies to lengthen healthspan by disrupting the link between chronic, low-grade inflammation and age-related diseases.
HCW’s lead compound, HCW9218, is currently being evaluated in two initial-stage clinical trials with the primary objectives to determine safety, maximum tolerated dose, and the recommended Phase 2 dose. The company believes the Phase 1/1b studies will be completed in 2023.
“This patent supports our commitment to treat diseases driven by chronic inflammation typical of aging and age-related diseases, including cancer,” said Dr Hing C Wong, CEO of HCW Biologics. “These diseases are promoted by cellular senescence and the proinflammatory factors they secrete, known as SASP factors. We believe that HCW9218 has the potential to redefine the approach for treating aging conditions and age-related diseases by alleviating senescence with an immunotherapeutic therapy that rejuvenates the immune system.”
HCW recently published a scientific paper in Aging Cell entitled, “Immunotherapeutic approach to reduce senescent cells and alleviate senescence-associated secretary phenotype in mice.”
“The publication of our scientific paper in Aging Cell followed by the issuance of this patent for methods of treating age-related disorders is noteworthy,” said Wong. “These events acknowledge that we may have found a novel method for the treatment of cancer and other age-related disorders.”
