Imugene secures core US patent for onCARlytics virotherapy platform

Imugene Ltd (ASX:IMU, OTC:IUGNF) Ltd has received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its patent application covering the onCARlytics oncolytic virotherapy platform, CF33-CD19. The approval secures protection for the method of composition and method of use of the technology until August 10, 2038.

The patent, titled Oncolytic Virus Expressing a CAR T Cell Target and Uses Thereof, marks a strategic advance in the US, the largest healthcare and oncology market globally. It follows a similar allowance in China earlier this year, reinforcing Imugene’s growing intellectual property position in major therapeutic regions.

Patent details and strategic relevance

The granted patent protects CF33-CD19, an engineered oncolytic virus that enters solid tumour cells and induces expression of CD19 on their surfaces. 

This makes the tumour cells susceptible to CD19-targeting chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T) therapies. Developed by researchers at City of Hope and exclusively licensed to Imugene, this innovation seeks to extend the reach of CAR T therapy beyond blood cancers and into solid tumours—a major unmet need in oncology.

Imugene is validating onCARlytics in its ongoing OASIS dose escalation trial, which is underway at up to 10 clinical sites across the United States. 

Approximately 40 patients are expected to participate in the trial. The program is central to Imugene’s broader immuno-oncology strategy and aims to establish clinical proof-of-concept for combining oncolytic virotherapy with adoptive cell therapies.

Corporate context and outlook

Imugene continues to develop a robust portfolio of cancer immunotherapies, including its CD19-targeting CAR T therapy azer-cel (azercabtagene zapreleucel), B-cell vaccines, and multiple CF33-based virotherapy candidates. 

Backed by a team of international cancer specialists and a strong funding position, the company is targeting both near- and long-term commercial milestones. 

Imugene’s stated vision is to make its therapies foundational treatments in global cancer care.