Advaxis receives USPTO patent for Listeria vaccine

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has approved Advaxis, Inc., (OTCBB: ADXS), the live, attenuated Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) immunotherapy company, intellectual property protection to patent application 11/223,945 - a live, attenuated Listeria vaccine that secretes novel fragments of the tumor antigen HER2/neu (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2), when using the company's proprietary listeriolysin O (LLO) fusion platform technology. The patent also extends protection to LLO-HER2/neu proteins independent of live Listeria which can be used as protein vaccines.

“This patent will be Advaxis' 29th in its growing intellectual property portfolio”

The HER2/neu antigens are incorporated in a construct that is planned for use in a canine osteosarcoma study later this year and human studies in breast and brain cancer in 2011.

"This patent will be Advaxis' 29^th in its growing intellectual property portfolio," said Advaxis EVP of Science and Operations Dr. John Rothman. "When combined with our 43 pending applications, the company believes it to be the most comprehensive portfolio in the bacterial immunotherapy space today. Our IP protection is designed to support the successful commercialization and further scientific development of our platform technology. The expansion and vigorous protection of Advaxis' IP portfolio is one of our key company strategies."