Lorus Provides an Update on Progress in Virulizin Development Program

TORONTO - Lorus Therapeutics Inc. announced that progress was made in the Virulizin development program, including the publication of two research studies on the Virulizin mode of action and the issuance of a new patent for Virulizin in Mexico, a press release by Lorus stated.

“Publication of these two studies in international scientific journals adds significantly to our previous studies on Virulizin anticancer mechanisms and activities,” Lorus President and CEO Dr. Aiping Young said.

“In addition, allowance of a new patent strengthens the Intellectual Property position for this product, and protects the potential for expanding the use to other cancer indications in this jurisdiction,” he added.

The patent, titled “Immunomodulating Compositions from Bile for the Treatment of Immune System Disorders”, protects methods of treating several cancers using Virulizin.

This is the second patent issued in Mexico for Virulizin and extends patent protection for Virulizin in this country to 2016. Similar patents for Virulizin have also been issued in a number of other countries worldwide, including Canada, Australia, and the United States.

Virulizin is currently approved for the treatment of malignant melanoma in Mexico. The new patent provides protection for the potential treatment with Virulizin of additional cancers, including ovarian and lung cancers.

Virulizin composition, manufacturing process, and use in the treatment of cancers are also protected in Mexico under an earlier patent issued to Lorus in 2003.

Lorus is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the research and development of pharmaceutical products and technologies for the management of cancer.

Virulizin is a novel biological response modifier (or immunotherapeutic agent) that stimulates a patient’s immune system through several mechanisms, including the activation of macrophages and the infiltration of natural killer cells into tumors.

Virulizin has been granted orphan drug status and fast track status from the United States FDA and orphan designation from the Marketing Authorization Application with the European Medical Evaluation Agency.