MADISON, WIS., 31 May 2016 – Cellectar Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:CLRB) ("the company"), an oncology-focused biotechnology company, today announces that the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO") has issued U.S. Patent No. 9,339,564, which covers the treatment of cancer stem cells employing the company's phospholipid drug conjugate ("PDC") delivery platform technology; specifically, either of the company's current PDC products, CLR 131 or CLR 125, in combination with external beam radiation. This patent, which provides intellectual property protection to at least June 2030, is based on one of multiple patent applications directed to the treatment of cancer stem cells.

The company's radioiodinated compounds may possess the unique ability to target and potentially kill both cancer and cancer stem cells while sparing healthy cells and normal stem cells. Cancer stem cells are known to be highly resistant to traditional chemotherapeutics and potentially a significant source of metastasis. Beyond traditional chemotherapeutics, cancer stem cells have been shown to be as much as 30 percent more radioresistant than cancer cells, further increasing the challenge of treating cancer.

"The recent USPTO actions have expanded and strengthened Cellectar's intellectual property portfolio for strategic PDC program assets, including our radiotherapeutics in combination with external beam radiation in a wide range of cancers," said Jim Caruso, president and CEO of Cellectar. "Importantly, they also provide yet another clear example of the broad utility and potential of our delivery platform. The company will continue its aggressive approach to protect assets and increase their respective value, whether internally or collaboratively developed."
This patent, which describes the combined use of either CLR 131 or CLR 125 with external beam radiotherapy, utilizes the unique targeted delivery property of PDCs to internally supplement the radiation dose to the entire tumor and specifically cancer stem cells. The cancer stem cells then become as radiosensitive as other cancer cells. If successful, this dual internal-external radiotherapy approach may achieve a more effective and durable treatment response.

John S. Kuo, MD, PhD, FAANS, FACS, Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery and Human Oncology (Tenure) Director, Comprehensive Brain Tumor Program Chair, CNS Tumors Working Group, Carbone Cancer Center, Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, added: "Our studies conducted to date at the Carbone Cancer Center demonstrate that Cellectar's PDC delivery vehicle, a proprietary phospholipid ether analog, also targets therapy-resistant cancer stem cells responsible for cancer growth and recurrence. PDCs show promise as a means of targeting and treating all of the tumor cells within a patient's cancer, including cancer stem cells."

US Press Room Homepage