Rochester, New York Patent of the Year – 2024/2025
Vaccinex Inc. has been awarded the 2024/2025 Patent of the Year for its pioneering work in cancer immunotherapy. Their invention, detailed in U.S. Patent No. 11859000, titled ‘Anti-CCR8 antibodies and uses thereof’, introduces a novel class of antibodies designed to enhance the body’s immune response against tumors.
This technology targets the CCR8 receptor, predominantly found on immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs) within tumors. By binding to CCR8, the antibodies selectively deplete these Tregs, reducing their suppressive effect on the immune system. This approach aims to bolster the body’s natural ability to combat cancer cells without affecting Tregs in healthy tissues.
The antibodies were developed using Vaccinex’s proprietary ActivMAb® platform, which specializes in generating fully human monoclonal antibodies against complex membrane proteins. This platform enabled the precise targeting of CCR8, a challenging receptor due to its structural complexity.
Vaccinex has licensed this antibody, known as SRF114, to Surface Oncology. The therapy has progressed to Phase 1/2 clinical trials, marking a significant step toward potential new treatments for advanced solid tumors.
This advancement represents a promising direction in immuno-oncology, offering a targeted strategy to enhance anti-tumor immunity while minimizing collateral effects on the body’s overall immune regulation.