Copernicus Receives Broad Patents for DNA Delivery Technology 
08:14 a.m. Mar 30, 1999 Eastern 

CLEVELAND, March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Copernicus Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that it has been granted U.S. patents and claims covering methods used to compact nucleic acid complexes for efficient introduction into cells. The patents broadly cover Copernicus' PLASmin(TM) technology, which enables the compaction of single nucleic acid molecules into small particles that can effectively cross the cell membrane and enter the nucleus of a human cell for therapeutic use. Protected by the patent claims are methods of preparation and composition of matter for PLASmin(TM) Complexes. Copernicus is advancing two proprietary technology platforms for the effective delivery and targeting of drugs to specific tissues and cells with a lead indication in cystic fibrosis. 

"Our PLASmin(TM) compaction technology represents a novel non-viral approach for delivering therapeutic nucleic acids into cell nuclei to treat a variety of genetic and other disorders," said Robert F. Butz, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Copernicus. "Recent studies have indicated that nucleic acid complexes must be highly compacted to efficiently enter the extremely small openings in the cell and nuclear membranes. PLASmin(TM) Complexes meet these requirements and can be combined successfully with Copernicus' other delivery and targeting technologies to create novel pharmaceuticals that are both safe and effective." 

Copernicus has established a strong proprietary position in both of its key platform technologies based on exclusive licenses from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and four issued patents. The recently issued patent No. 5,844,107, entitled "Compacted Nucleic Acids and Their Delivery to Cells," relates to methods of producing complexes consisting of a single nucleic acid and one or more carrier molecules or polycations. In addition, patent No. 5,877,302 covers the composition of compacted nucleic acid complexes containing essentially any nucleic acid with any polycation. Together these new patents broadly protect Copernicus' PLASmin(TM) delivery technology. Previously, Copernicus was issued patents on other delivery technologies including its REPLIsome(TM) Vectors, which enable the safe replication of non-viral DNA inside human cells. Copernicus has shown that REPLIsome(TM) Vectors produce high-level, sustained expression of nucleic acids in a wide range of cells such as rapidly dividing cancer cells. 

Copernicus has developed novel methods for combining DNA or other nucleic acids with polycations to produce particles that are only one-tenth the size of those generated by other methods. Consequently, Copernicus' PLASmin(TM) Complexes can easily and efficiently enter cells to deliver therapeutic nucleic acids. Researchers have demonstrated that PLASmin(TM) Complexes produce high levels of nucleic acid expression, resist physical and enzymatic destruction and can be adapted to a wide variety of nucleic acids and gene therapy applications. 

Copernicus' PLASmin(TM) Complexes and other delivery technologies can be combined with its proprietary targeting technologies enabling the effective direction of proteins, small molecules and nucleic acids to specific tissues and cells, including those in the liver, airway and lung, as well as certain white blood cells. The Company recently received a $1.5 million grant from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to advance therapeutic treatments for cystic fibrosis (CF). The grant will support development of PLASmin(TM) Complexes designed to deliver the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulator gene to the lung and airways of CF patients. 

Copernicus Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held biotechnology company, is advancing novel targeting and delivery systems with broad applications in human therapeutics and vaccines. Copernicus' technologies include a targeting platform enabling the efficient uptake of drugs by specific cells and tissues and a multi-component delivery platform that can be applied to nucleic acids to develop therapies for a variety of human diseases. The Company's targeting and delivery platforms are complementary and can be combined to enhance the efficacy and safety of existing drugs or to create novel therapeutics. 

CONTACT: Robert F. Butz, Ph.D., President and CEO of Copernicus Therapeutics, Inc., 216-378-3300, rbutz@cgsys.com, or Kellie Watson, Ph.D., kellie_watson@fkpi.com, or Heidi Sprang of Feinstein Kean Partners Inc., 617-577-8110 SOURCE Copernicus Therapeutics, Inc. 
 

Copyright 1999, PR Newswire

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