TuHURA Biosciences Strengthens DOR ADC Platform With U.S. Patent

Tampa, Florida, U.S., October 5, 2026

DOR Technology Targets Immunosuppressive MDSCs

The newly issued patent covers administration of DOR antagonists to cancer patients whose tumors are associated with DOR-expressing myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). MDSCs can contribute to an immunosuppressive tumor environment that limits the ability of cancer-fighting T cells to eliminate malignant cells. TuHURA’s approach is designed to inhibit DOR activity on MDSCs and potentially reduce their immune-suppressive effects. The patent also covers applications involving DOR antagonist combination therapies for treating, inhibiting, reducing, ameliorating, or preventing cancer and metastasis. By targeting the biology of the tumor microenvironment rather than cancer cells alone, the technology is being developed as a potential strategy to improve the durability and effectiveness of existing and emerging immunotherapies. TuHURA says the DOR pathway may play a role in allowing tumors to maintain an immunologic sanctuary and contribute to T-cell exhaustion, a major challenge in cancer immunotherapy.

Patent Extends Beyond ADC Applications

A notable feature of the newly issued patent is that its scope extends beyond TuHURA’s antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) programs. The patent discloses potential applications of DOR antagonists in combination with bi-specific and bi-functional ADC technologies as well as adoptive cellular immunotherapies, including CAR-T, regulatory T-cell (Treg), and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapies. This broader intellectual property position could support the company’s efforts to explore DOR-targeting technology across different classes of cancer treatments. TuHURA is developing a novel class of bi-functional, bi-specific immune-modulating ADCs designed to target DOR on MDSCs and inhibit their immune-suppressive effects within the tumor microenvironment. The company believes this approach could potentially help prevent T-cell exhaustion and acquired resistance to checkpoint inhibitors and cellular therapies.

TuHURA Advances DOR Programs in Oncology

The patent was issued on September 15, 2026, and its term is expected to extend through 2043, before any potential patent-term extension. TuHURA is currently a Phase 3 immuno-oncology company focused on developing technologies intended to address primary and acquired resistance to cancer immunotherapy. Its lead innate immune agonist, IFx-2.0, is being evaluated in a randomized Phase 3 registration trial in combination with Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) for first-line treatment of advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma. The company is also developing TBS2025, a VISTA-inhibiting monoclonal antibody moving toward a Phase 1b study in patients with molecularly defined relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia. Alongside these programs, TuHURA is advancing its DOR-targeting ADC technology toward proof-of-concept studies in blood cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. The new U.S. patent strengthens the company’s intellectual property portfolio around this emerging therapeutic strategy while supporting potential applications across multiple immunotherapy modalities. The DOR technology remains under development, and its therapeutic potential will require validation through additional preclinical and clinical research.

Source: TuHURA Biosciences press release