Rznomics (476830.KQ), an RNA-based gene therapy developer, is accelerating its push into the global market after securing a US patent for its next-generation cancer gene therapy platform. By expanding the intellectual property (IP) rights of its core platform technology to the United States, the company has strengthened its foundation for future technology transfers and global commercialization.
Rznomics announced on the 9th that its next-generation cancer gene therapy platform 'RZ-002' had received a US patent registration decision. With this patent registration, the company has secured exclusive rights to the platform technology in the United States, the world's largest market, following registrations in Korea, Japan and Australia.
RZ-002 is a next-generation cancer gene therapy platform based on RNA trans-splicing that simultaneously expresses anticancer genes and immune checkpoint inhibitors. It targets the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene expressed in cancer cells, so that anticancer genes are expressed only in cancer cells, while immune checkpoint inhibitors are expressed locally at the tumor site. Through this, it simultaneously induces cancer cell death and anticancer immune activation, reducing systemic side effects while enhancing therapeutic efficacy.
The patent was granted a broad scope of rights that does not limit the types and number of anticancer genes and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Based on this, the company expects to be able to combine various anticancer genes and immune checkpoint inhibitors to expand indications across multiple cancer types.
Rznomics has also applied for RZ-002-related patents in major countries including Europe and China, where they are currently under review, as it expands its global IP portfolio.
"The US patent registration has further strengthened the global intellectual property competitiveness of the RNA trans-splicing platform," said Lee Seong-wook, CEO of Rznomics. "We will strive in our development efforts to provide new treatment options for patients with intractable cancers through combinations with various anticancer genes."
Meanwhile, RZ-002 is a platform developed with more than 2.1 billion won in government research and development (R&D) support after being selected for the Ministry of Science and ICT's 'Innovative New Drug Pipeline Discovery Project' in 2019. In May, Rznomics presented preclinical study results targeting brain cancer at the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy meeting (ASGCT 2026), where it said it had confirmed superior safety and anticancer efficacy compared with systemic administration of existing immuno-oncology drugs.
