C3J Therapeutics, a private clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel targeted antimicrobials based on bacteriophage has announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued patent No. 10,221,398, entitled “Compositions of and Methods for In Vitro Viral Genome Engineering.” The patent, which covers the composition of a synthetically engineered Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage, is an important addition to C3J’s expanding patent estate, and the Company’s first issued patent covering its proprietary technology platform that enhances natural bacteriophage through genetic engineering. The patent includes claims intended to improve host range and increase the antimicrobial activity of wild type (natural) phage, including activity against biofilm. C3J possesses a significant library of naturally occurring phage and other biological materials that are critical for the creation of synthetic phage via the C3J phage engineering platform.
C3J is committed to protecting its novel therapeutics in key jurisdictions. Related international patent applications are currently under examination in several countries. These applications support C3J’s work in building a strong intellectual property portfolio around its technology and strengthening its leadership position in the field of synthetic phage-based therapies.
Todd Patrick, President and Chief Executive Officer of C3J, said, “This is an important patent for our company. Not only does it strengthen our program in Pseudomonas aeruginosa but it also exemplifies our strategy of protecting each individual phage that is created using our synthetic biology-based phage engineering platform.”
On January 4, 2019, C3J and AmpliPhi Biosciences Corporation, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of precisely targeted bacteriophage therapeutics for antibiotic-resistant infections, announced that the companies have agreed to merge. The consummation of the merger transaction will result in a combined company that has a diverse clinical-stage pipeline, including a Phase 1/2-ready natural phage candidate targeting Staphylococcus aureus, as well as a synthetic phage candidate targeting Pseudomonas aueriginosa respiratory infections poised to enter Phase 1 development later this year. In addition, the combined company will have an extensive natural phage library and the capability to develop synthetic phage against a wide range of microbial agents.
