GeoVax Labs, Inc. has entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Emory University for intellectual property covering the use of Gedeptin® in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors. The licensed technology supports the use of gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy to enhance the anti-tumor activity of checkpoint blockade, which could address limitations in current cancer immunotherapy approaches.
The exclusive license provides GeoVax with global rights to patent applications and associated know-how covering the combination of Gedeptin with immune checkpoint inhibitors within a defined field of use. This intellectual property estate is intended to support GeoVax's current and planned clinical programs evaluating Gedeptin in combination with ICIs, including its recently announced neoadjuvant strategy in head and neck cancer and ongoing evaluation of additional solid tumor indications.
"This license further consolidates GeoVax's long-standing relationship with Emory and meaningfully strengthens our intellectual property position around Gedeptin-based combination therapies," said David A. Dodd, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GeoVax. "As checkpoint inhibitors continue to move earlier in treatment paradigms, including first-line and neoadjuvant settings, we believe Gedeptin's localized tumor-debulking and immune-sensitizing mechanism may provide an important opportunity to enhance and extend immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy."
The strategic importance of this development lies in addressing a significant limitation of current cancer immunotherapies. While immune checkpoint inhibitors have transformed cancer care, many patients still fail to achieve durable responses. The licensed Emory technology reinforces the scientific rationale for combining Gedeptin with ICIs to potentially convert immunologically 'cold' tumors into more responsive targets. This approach could expand the population of cancer patients who benefit from immunotherapy treatments.
GeoVax has previously reported encouraging clinical and translational data demonstrating that Gedeptin's intratumoral delivery approach can induce localized tumor cell death while promoting immune activation within the tumor microenvironment - an effect that may be complementary to systemic checkpoint inhibition. The company has previously announced plans to evaluate Gedeptin in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors in a Phase 2 neoadjuvant clinical trial in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, as well as preclinical assessments in additional solid tumor settings.
Gedeptin® is a gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy delivered intratumorally using a non-replicating viral vector encoding purine nucleoside phosphorylase. Following administration of a systemically delivered prodrug, the encoded enzyme converts the prodrug into a cytotoxic agent directly within the tumor microenvironment. This localized approach is designed to selectively destroy tumor cells while promoting immune recognition and minimizing systemic toxicity. Gedeptin has received Orphan Drug Designation for oral and pharyngeal cancers.
The company continues to evaluate strategic collaboration opportunities related to both the clinical development and potential commercialization of Gedeptin-based combination therapies. For more information about GeoVax's broader pipeline and development priorities, visit https://www.geovax.com.
