On October 30, 2018 PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. (OTCQB: PMCB), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing targeted cellular therapies for cancer and diabetes using its signature live-cell encapsulation technology, Cell-in-a-Box, reported that its Patent Application titled "Encapsulated Cells Producing Cytochrome P450 and Methods of Use Thereof," which covers a targeted therapy to treat solid cancerous tumors, was published in the United States on September 27, 2018, (Publication No. US 2018/0271794 A1) (Press release, PharmaCyte Biotech, OCT 30, 2018, View Source [SID1234530350]). Unlike the previously announced PCT Application, which was international in nature, this Patent Application is specific to the United States.
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PharmaCyte Biotech’s Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth L. Waggoner, stated, "This patent application in concert with the previously announced PCT application (Publication No. WO 2018/175576) that was filed to gain protection in most major markets worldwide, if granted, will provide protection for PharmaCyte’s technology for 20 years without a gap in patent protection – until March 2038.
"Publication of this U.S. Patent Application by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is significant in allowing us to protect our unique complex cancer therapy for many years in this country. This development becomes more and more important as we progress with our clinical trial in patients with locally advanced, non-metastatic, inoperable pancreatic cancer (LAPC).
"As described in the Patent Application, through use of the Cell-in-a-Box live-cell encapsulation technology, PharmaCyte may be able to develop unique therapies for other forms of solid tumors, particularly where safety and efficacy are of major concern."
This Patent Application also includes methods of treating cancerous tumors other than pancreatic cancer, such as those of the liver, breast and colon. This could be accomplished by using cancer prodrugs such as ifosfamide and its "sister" drug cyclophosphamide together with encapsulated live human cells that overexpress a form of the cytochrome P450 enzyme system normally found in the liver (the same encapsulated cells used in PharmaCyte’s pancreatic cancer therapy). The patent application also includes using PharmaCyte’s platform technology with other cancer chemotherapy prodrugs against a variety of tumors other than those noted above. In all cases, the Cell-in-a-Box cellulose-based-live-cell encapsulation technology will be used to prepare the "biologic" part of any of the cancer treatments.
The original Provisional Patent Application that preceded the current application was filed with the USPTO on March 21, 2017, well before the Bavarian Nordic patents expired. The current application was filed with the USPTO on March 21, 2018. There should be no gap in patent protection assuming PharmaCyte’s patent application is granted