AUSTIN, Texas, June 22, 2026
Genprex, Inc. has announced a significant intellectual property milestone after receiving a Notice of Allowance from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) for a patent covering the use of REQORSA® Gene Therapy (quaratusugene ozeplasmid) in combination with either PD-1 or PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of both non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The patent strengthens the company’s growing global intellectual property portfolio and provides additional protection for therapeutic combinations currently being evaluated in the company’s Acclaim-3 clinical trial, which combines REQORSA with Genentech’s Tecentriq® (atezolizumab). The development reinforces Genprex’s strategy of advancing innovative gene therapies designed to enhance the effectiveness of existing cancer treatments while addressing major unmet medical needs in lung cancer, one of the world’s deadliest malignancies. The Canadian allowance adds to an expanding list of patent grants already secured across key global markets, including the United States, Europe, China, Japan, Australia, Korea, Singapore, Israel, Mexico, Russia, and Chile.
Patent Protection Supports Clinical Development Strategy
The newly allowed Canadian patent provides important protection for the combination of REQORSA Gene Therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the PD-1 and PD-L1 pathways, which have become foundational treatments across multiple cancer types. According to Genprex, the patent directly supports ongoing development efforts and strengthens the company’s competitive position in the rapidly evolving oncology landscape. Company leadership noted that the patent enhances long-term value by securing rights around therapeutic combinations currently under clinical evaluation. REQORSA is being developed as a novel gene therapy designed to restore the function of tumor suppressor genes that are frequently deficient in cancer cells.
Through its proprietary Oncoprex® Delivery System, the therapy delivers disease-fighting genes using lipid-based nanoparticles, enabling targeted gene expression within tumor tissue. The company believes this mechanism may complement existing immunotherapies and targeted therapies, potentially improving patient outcomes compared with current treatment approaches alone.
Acclaim-3 Trial Evaluates REQORSA with Tecentriq
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The patent allowance is particularly important because it covers combinations being investigated in the Phase 1/2 Acclaim-3 clinical trial, which evaluates REQORSA alongside Tecentriq as maintenance therapy for patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). Following successful completion of the Phase 1 dose-escalation portion, which demonstrated that REQORSA was generally well tolerated, the study has advanced into the Phase 2 expansion stage. The trial is expected to enroll approximately 50 patients and will assess progression-free survival, overall survival, and long-term clinical outcomes.
Supported by both FDA Fast Track Designation and Orphan Drug Designation, the program reflects growing interest in combining gene therapy with immunotherapy to enhance anti-tumor responses. Interim analysis is planned after the 25th enrolled patient completes 18 weeks of follow-up, providing an important future milestone for the program.
Expanding Innovation in Cancer and Gene Therapy
Genprex continues to position itself as a leader in next-generation gene therapy innovation with programs targeting both oncology and metabolic diseases. In addition to REQORSA, the company is developing gene therapies for diabetes using novel approaches designed to restore insulin production through genetic modification of pancreatic cells. Within oncology, REQORSA remains the company’s lead asset and is being evaluated across multiple lung cancer indications. Lung cancer continues to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Canada, emphasizing the need for new treatment strategies.
By expanding patent protection around REQORSA-based combinations, Genprex aims to secure long-term commercial opportunities while advancing therapies that may improve outcomes for patients facing difficult-to-treat cancers. The latest patent development further validates the company’s commitment to leveraging gene therapy and precision medicine technologies to transform cancer care worldwide.
Source: Genprex press release
