Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
February 18, 2026
GeoVax Secures Exclusive License to Boost Cancer Immunotherapy Combinations
TLDR
- GeoVax's exclusive license with Emory University strengthens its IP position for Gedeptin combination therapies, potentially giving it a competitive edge in enhancing immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy across solid tumors.
- GeoVax's Gedeptin uses gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy to locally convert a prodrug into a cytotoxic agent within tumors, complementing systemic immune checkpoint inhibitors to improve anti-tumor activity.
- This technology could make cancer treatment more effective by converting immunologically 'cold' tumors into responsive targets, potentially improving durable responses and patient outcomes in solid tumor therapies.
- GeoVax's Gedeptin, an orphan drug-designated therapy, employs a viral vector to deliver enzymes that create localized tumor destruction while activating the immune system against cancer.
Impact - Why it Matters
This development matters because it addresses a critical limitation in current cancer immunotherapy. While immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized treatment for many cancers, a significant portion of patients—particularly those with 'cold' tumors that don't trigger strong immune responses—fail to achieve lasting benefits. By combining Gedeptin's localized tumor-destroying approach with systemic checkpoint inhibitors, this technology could potentially convert non-responsive tumors into targets the immune system can attack. For cancer patients, especially those with solid tumors like head and neck cancers, this could mean more effective treatment options, potentially better outcomes, and new hope where current therapies fall short. The advancement also represents progress in personalized cancer treatment, targeting tumors more precisely while minimizing widespread side effects.
Summary
GeoVax Labs, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, has secured an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Emory University for intellectual property covering the combination of its Gedeptin® therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This strategic move strengthens GeoVax's immuno-oncology portfolio and expands its intellectual property foundation for treating solid tumors. The licensed technology, developed in collaboration with Emory University and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, supports using gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT) to enhance the anti-tumor effects of checkpoint blockade, a promising approach for cancers that don't respond well to current immunotherapies.
David A. Dodd, Chairman and CEO of GeoVax, emphasized that this license consolidates the company's relationship with Emory and bolsters its IP position around Gedeptin-based combination therapies. As checkpoint inhibitors become more common in early treatment settings, Gedeptin's localized tumor-debulking and immune-sensitizing mechanism could significantly enhance and extend ICI efficacy. The agreement provides GeoVax with global rights to patent applications and know-how for combining Gedeptin with ICIs, supporting current and planned clinical programs, including a Phase 2 neoadjuvant trial in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and evaluations in other solid tumors.
Gedeptin® is a GDEPT delivered intratumorally using a non-replicating viral vector that encodes purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP). This approach selectively destroys tumor cells while promoting immune recognition and minimizing systemic toxicity, having received Orphan Drug Designation for oral and pharyngeal cancers. GeoVax continues to explore strategic collaboration opportunities for developing and commercializing Gedeptin-based combination therapies, with more information available at www.geovax.com. The company's broader pipeline includes vaccines for infectious diseases like Mpox and COVID-19, but this license specifically targets advancing cancer immunotherapy through innovative combination approaches.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, GeoVax Secures Exclusive License to Boost Cancer Immunotherapy Combinations
