Clinical-stage gene therapy company Genprex, Inc. (NASDAQ:GNPX) announced on Wednesday that it has secured an exclusive worldwide license from the University of Michigan for its lead drug candidate, Reqorsa Gene Therapy (quaratusugene ozeplasmid).

This agreement allows Genprex to develop Reqorsa in combination with ALK inhibitors for treating ALK-EML4 positive translocated lung cancer. Reqorsa targets the TUSC2 gene, a tumour suppressor often deleted in lung cancer and could offer a new approach for patients with ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Preclinical data presented at the 2024 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting showed Reqorsa induced apoptosis in alectinib-resistant EML4-ALK positive NSCLC cell lines. The results suggest that REQORSA could effectively reduce cell growth and proliferation in these cancer cells by activating apoptotic pathways. Genprex views these findings as a foundation for further clinical investigation of Reqorsa in treating ALK+ NSCLC.

Reqorsa utilizes Genprex's ONCOPREX Delivery System, encapsulating the TUSC2 gene in lipid-based nanoparticles to specifically target cancer cells. This non-viral, electrically charged formulation enhances the delivery of TUSC2 to cancer cells while minimizing normal tissue uptake. Genprex aims to develop Reqorsa in combination with existing therapies, positioning it as a potentially improved treatment for NSCLC, SCLC and other cancers.