Mologen AG has announced that the European Patent Office has granted patent for the DNA-vaccine against oncoviruses. Corresponding applications outside the European Union are pending before national patent offices, a company release said.

The invention relates to a DNA-vaccine against oncoviruses, based on Mologen's proprietary DNA-vector MIDGE-TH1. Oncoviruses cause severe diseases including cancer, anaemia and immuno-suppression. Especially cats can be protected against infections with the oncovirus FeLV (Feline Leukaemia Virus) by the vaccine.

FeLV is a feline virus infecting cats worldwide. Serious diseases following infection are a major cause for death of cats. Currently, approximately 10 per cent of all cats in Europe, USA and Japan, the most important markets for veterinary pharmaceuticals for pets, are infected with the virus.

Today, an effective therapy for FeLV infections is not available. In best case scenario, the disease can be suppressed for a certain time. Several chemotherapeutics are applicable in cats, but side effects are as serious as in applications for humans. The only effective way to prevent FeLV infections is vaccination. Some marketed vaccines have limited efficacy. Moreover, there are FeLV-vaccines which in a minor number of cats can cause severe side effects like tumours at the injection site. The estimated average annual sales volume of FeLV-vaccines is fare above 50 million USD.

Mologen uses its proprietary DNA technologies to create and develop treatments for high-unmet-need illnesses. The main focuses are the unique and patented MIDGE and dSLIM technologies. Based on these platforms, Mologen is developing DNA-based vaccines and therapeutics to prevent or cure a wide range of diseases.