Medicenna Strengthens Intellectual Property Portfolio with Five Patents Granted for its IL-2 and IL-4 Superkines
Granted patents provide broad composition, formulation, and method of use protection across key global markets including use of MDNA11 in combination with checkpoint inhibitors and a novel formulation of bizaxofusp
TORONTO and HOUSTON, July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medicenna Therapeutics Corp. (“Medicenna” or the “Company”) (TSX: MDNA, OTCQX: MDNAF), a clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing novel Superkines for oncology and autoimmune diseases, today announced grant of five patents covering the Company’s IL-2 and IL-4 Superkine platforms. These patents strengthen Medicenna’s intellectual property (IP) position across key markets and further support the Company’s lead clinical and preclinical programs.
The newly granted patents cover composition, formulation, combination, use, and therapeutic applications of IL-2 and IL-4 Superkines. Newly granted patents span major markets, with anticipated expiration dates ranging from 2033 to 2040 depending on the specific case and local rules, without accounting for any potential extensions.
Patents granted include:
- U.S. Patent No. 12,338,269 B2 – IL-2 Superagonists in Combination with Anti-PD-1 Antibodies.
Also granted in Australia and Japan and allowed in Canada with another divisional application allowed in Japan. [Medicenna Owned] - U.S. Patent No. 12,274,735 – IL-4 Fusion Formulation for Treatment of CNS Tumors. Also granted in Switzerland, Germany, France, and United Kingdom and allowed in Australia. [Medicenna Owned]
- U.S. Patent No. 12,187,771 – Method of Producing Th9 T Cells. Also granted in Switzerland, Germany, France, United Kingdom, India, and Japan. [In-licensed from Stanford]
- U.S. Patent No. 12,202,873 – Superagonists, Partial Agonists and Antagonists of IL-2. Also granted in Switzerland, China, Germany, France, United Kingdom, India, and Japan and allowed in Canada with another divisional application allowed in Japan. [In-licensed from Stanford]
- European Patent No. 3049525 – IL-4 Receptor-binding Fusion Proteins and Uses Thereof. Also granted in India, Japan and United States and allowed in Canada. [Co-owned with NIH]
“These newly granted and allowed patents not only expand the breadth and depth of our intellectual property portfolio but also enhance the long-term commercial potential of our Superkine programs,” said Fahar Merchant, Ph.D., President and CEO of Medicenna. “Notably, the patent covering IL-2 superagonists in combination with anti-PD1 antibodies provides important coverage for MDNA11, which is being evaluated in the ongoing Phase 1/2 ABILITY-1 study, reinforcing both the clinical rationale and commercial potential. Furthermore, protection granted to a novel formulation of bizaxofusp (MDNA55), used in the Phase 2b recurrent glioblastoma clinical trial, solidifies its commercial exclusivity for treatment of brain cancers as we pursue potential partnering of this Phase 3 ready asset. By strengthening long-term protection for our proprietary IL-2 and IL-4 assets across key jurisdictions, we are laying the foundation for durable competitive advantage and sustained shareholder value. We look forward to sharing additional clinical data from the ABILITY-1 clinical trial during the balance of this calendar year.”
Medicenna’s global IP portfolio now comprises 86 granted or allowed patents, supporting a robust and diverse clinical pipeline.
About Medicenna Therapeutics
Medicenna is a clinical-stage immunotherapy company focused on developing novel, highly selective versions of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-13 Superkines and first-in-class Empowered Superkines. Medicenna’s long-acting IL-2 Superkine, MDNA11, is a next-generation IL-2 with superior affinity toward CD122 (IL-2 receptor beta) and no CD25 (IL-2 receptor alpha) binding, thereby preferentially stimulating cancer-killing effector T cells and NK cells. Medicenna’s IL-4 Empowered Superkine, bizaxofusp (formerly MDNA55), has been studied in 5 clinical trials enrolling over 130 patients, including a Phase 2b trial for recurrent GBM, the most common and uniformly fatal form of brain cancer. Bizaxofusp has obtained FastTrack and Orphan Drug status from the FDA and FDA/EMA, respectively. Medicenna’s early-stage high-affinity IL-2β biased IL-2/IL-15 Super-antagonists, from its MDNA209 platform, are being evaluated as potential therapies for autoimmune and graft-versus host diseases. Medicenna’s early-stage BiSKITs™ (Bifunctional SuperKine ImmunoTherapies) and the T-MASK™ (Targeted Metalloprotease Activated SuperKine) programs are designed to enhance the ability of Superkines to treat immunologically “cold” tumors.
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Forward-Looking Statements
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Investor/Media Contact:
Shushu Feng
Investor Relations, Medicenna Therapeutics
