- Nanoparticle-based technology complements the company's intratumoral technology platform -
NOVATO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / October 6, 2021 / Mosaic ImmunoEngineering, Inc. ("Mosaic" or the "Company"), (OTCQB:CPMV), a development-stage biotechnology company focused on bridging immunology and engineering to develop novel immunotherapies to treat and prevent cancer and infectious diseases, today announced that it has licensed rights to develop and commercialize new treatment candidates that broaden the scope and capabilities of the Company's protein nanoparticle platform to treat cancer. The technology involves the loading of immuno-stimulatory molecules into plant virus protein nanoparticles. The technology was licensed from the University of California San Diego (UC San Diego) and broadens the Company's existing nanoparticle cargo-loading technology.
"Preclinical studies performed at UC San Diego have shown that nanoparticles derived from plant viruses that do not replicate in mammals are recognized as foreign by immune cells and induce immuno-stimulatory effects when injected into tumors. Furthermore, the nanoparticles can be loaded with Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists to further tailor specific immune response parameters," said Nicole F. Steinmetz, Ph.D., acting chief scientific officer of Mosaic and the director of the UC San Diego Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering. "The intratumoral administration of protein nanoparticles, based on their size and structure, has shown increased tumor retention time, uptake by host immune cells and greater antitumor effects as compared to small molecule treatment candidates. Packing of small-molecule immune stimulants into our nanoparticles thus hold the potential for more efficient utilization and therapeutic effects of these new treatment candidates."
"This newly licensed technology complements and expands our intratumoral immunotherapy platform, allowing us to explore and create value through additional avenues of immune stimulation in order to treat both human and veterinary applications." said Steven King, president and chief executive officer of Mosaic. "This technology utilizes a different protein nanotechnology base and compliments our lead immuno-oncology candidate, MIE-101, which is a naturally occurring immune stimulant. Our goal is to facilitate strategic partnering and commercialization opportunities across multiple areas of therapeutic and preventive vaccine product candidates."
About Toll-Like Receptors
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are proteins found on the surface and interior of host immune cells that play a fundamental role in initiating immune responses by recognizing molecular patterns common to viruses, bacteria and other foreign microbes. Originally discovered in the 1980s, TLRs have proven to be an important and highly conserved first line of immune defense across mammalian species. In recent years, molecules that stimulate TLRs have demonstrated efficacy in multiple tumor models by activating immune cells to better recognize and fight cancer. The intratumoral administration of TLR agonists, a strategy called "in situ vaccination", has become an active area of research and product development in oncology with several treatment candidates showing promise in clinical trials.
About MIE-101
Mosaic's lead therapeutic candidate, MIE-101, is derived from the cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV), a plant virus that does not infect humans or animals, but can stimulate both innate and adaptive immune responses, as shown in multiple preclinical models of cancer, including melanoma, breast, ovarian, brain and colon. Unlike experimental intratumoral treatments intended to utilize viruses to directly invade and destroy cancer cells, known as oncolytic viruses, MIE-101 represents a different approach to cancer treatment. MIE-101 has been shown to engage multiple Toll-like receptors on host immune cells in the tumor that have evolved to detect foreign invaders. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that these immune cells then attack the tumor, while also producing molecules that attract, activate and train additional immune cells to recognize and fight the tumor that was directly treated as well as attacking tumors in other areas of the body. MIE-101 has demonstrated single agent activity in preclinical tumor models and enhanced antitumor effects when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors and other standard cancer therapies.
About Mosaic ImmunoEngineering Inc.
Mosaic ImmunoEngineering Inc. is a development-stage biotechnology company focused on bridging immunology and engineering to develop novel immunotherapies to treat and prevent cancer and infectious diseases. Mosaic's core technology platform is based on cowpea mosaic virus ("CPMV"), which is non-infectious to humans or other animals but upon intratumoral administration, elicits a strong innate immune response resulting in potent anti-tumor activity against the primary and distant tumor sites. The broad potential of our lead candidate, MIE-101, for the treatment of many different types of cancer and potential combination therapies continues to be supported by numerous publications and grant funding through our university collaborators and co-founders at the UC San Diego Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering. In addition, the core technology has a potential application as part of a Modular Vaccine Platform (MVP) that has already generated promising data in both cancer and infectious disease preclinical models, including COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccine research is currently being performed by our co-founders and was funded by the National Science Foundation. For additional information about Mosaic, please visit MosaicIE.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other Federal securities laws. For example, we are using forward-looking statements when we discuss Mosaic's future operations and its ability to successfully advance the product candidates; the nature, strategy and focus of Mosaic's business; and the development and commercial potential and potential benefits of any of Mosaic's product candidates. Mosaic may not actually achieve the plans, carry out the intentions or meet the expectations or projections disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on Mosaic's current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties and actual results, performance or achievements of these forward-looking statements could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release, including the uncertainties of: raising sufficient capital or grant funding to advance these product candidates, which may not be available on favorable terms or at all; advancing Mosaic's multiple products into clinical trials, the clinical development and regulatory approval of Mosaic's product candidates, including potential delays in the commencement; enrollment and completion of clinical trials; the potential that earlier preclinical studies of Mosaic's product candidates may not be predictive of future results; risks related to business interruptions, including but not limited to, the outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus, which could harm Mosaic's financial condition and increase its costs and expenses. The foregoing review of important factors that could cause actual events to differ from expectations should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with statements that are included herein and elsewhere, including the risks discussed in Mosaic's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as otherwise required by law, Mosaic disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether, as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.
CONTACT:
Jay Carlson
Sr. Manager, Investor Relations
Mosaic ImmunoEngineering Inc.
[email protected]
Strategic corporate inquires can be sent to [email protected].
SOURCE: Mosaic ImmunoEngineering Inc.
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