Lorus Therapeutics Inc, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the research and development of pharmaceutical products and technologies for the management of cancer, announced the allowance of a patent from the Japan Patent Office for its lead clinical-stage drug LOR-2040.

The Japanese patent protects LOR-2040 composition and its use in the treatment of cancer. Specific cancer types in the patent include leukaemia as well as solid tumours such as breast, colon, pancreatic, prostate and lung cancers. This is Lorus' first patent for LOR-2040 in Japan. Patents for LOR-2040 have previously been issued in a number of countries worldwide, including the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, and China.

According to the Japanese National Cancer Center, cancer represents the leading cause of death in Japan, with around 330,000 patient fatalities each year. In addition, 590,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed each year. With an estimated $5 billion in annual sales, Japan is the third largest market for cancer drugs, after the US and Europe, and it accounts for approximately 11 per cent of worldwide oncology sales. Currently, LOR-2040 is being tested in combination with high dose cytarabine in a Phase II clinical study in patients with relapsed or refractory Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), and as a single agent in a Phase I trial in acute leukaemias and high-grade myelodysplastic syndrome. Lorus has also recently completed a series of US. NCIsponsored clinical studies in AML as well as in solid tumour indications, including prostate, non-small cell lung, and breast cancers.

"International patent protection is essential for our partnering efforts and further enhances the commercial value of this drug", said Dr Aiping Young, Lorus' president and CEO. "This new patent adds to our strong IP portfolio for LOR-2040, and should open up additional opportunities for Lorus in Japan."

LOR-2040 is an RNA-targeted drug that specifically targets the R2 component of ribonucleotide reductase, which is required for DNA synthesis and cell proliferation.

Lorus is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of novel therapeutics in cancer.