Genprex Strengthens Intellectual Property Portfolio with Japanese and EU Patents for Reqorsa® Gene Therapy in Combination with Immunotherapies to Treat Cancer
Rhea-AI Summary
Genprex (NASDAQ:GNPX) announced that the Japanese Patent Office issued a favorable appeal decision to grant a patent for REQORSA in combination with PD-L1 antibodies, and the European Patent Office issued a decision to grant a patent for REQORSA with PD-1 antibodies.
Genprex maintains exclusive licenses and says these patents strengthen protection for therapeutic combinations, including the Acclaim-3 small cell lung cancer trial combining REQORSA with PD-L1 antibodies. The company already holds related U.S. and Korea patents, and other international grants and pendings.
Positive
- Japanese patent granted for REQORSA + PD-L1 antibodies
- European patent decision to grant for REQORSA + PD-1 antibodies
- Exclusive license maintained for the granted patents
- Strengthens protection for Acclaim-3 SCLC combination therapy
- Existing international coverage including U.S. and Korea grants
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction – GNPX
On the day this news was published, GNPX gained 27.53%, reflecting a significant positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +27.1% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 47 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $1M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $6M at that time. Trading volume was exceptionally heavy at 10.3x the daily average, suggesting very strong buying interest.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
GNPX is down 4.3% while key biotech peers show mixed moves: several (CLDI, INAB, KPRX, RNAZ) are down 3–5%, CELZ is flat, and momentum scanner only flags APRE up 3.52%. This pattern points to stock-specific trading rather than a coordinated sector move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 10 | IP expansion | Positive | -1.8% | IP Australia notice of acceptance for REQORSA plus PD-L1 antibody patent. |
| Jan 07 | Program update | Positive | +0.0% | Clinical and regulatory planning update for GPX-002 diabetes gene therapy. |
| Jan 06 | Preclinical data | Positive | +5.0% | Positive preclinical proof-of-concept data for GPX-002 in Type 2 diabetes models. |
| Nov 24 | Clinical data | Positive | -6.7% | Publication of Acclaim-1 Phase 1 REQORSA plus osimertinib data in NSCLC. |
| Nov 19 | Trial operations | Positive | -9.5% | Addition of new clinical site for Acclaim-1 and Acclaim-3 lung cancer trials. |
Recent clinically and IP-focused announcements have often been followed by weak or negative next-day price reactions, even when the underlying news was positive.
Over the past six months, Genprex has reported multiple updates centered on its REQORSA oncology program and GPX-002 diabetes gene therapy. On Nov 19, 2025 and Nov 24, 2025, Acclaim lung cancer trial and Phase 1 data updates drew negative price reactions despite clinical progress. In early Jan 2026, positive GPX-002 preclinical news produced a 5% gain, while a later clinical update saw no move. An Feb 10, 2026 IP Australia patent notice also coincided with a mild decline. Today’s Japanese/EU patent grants extend this pattern of IP and clinical de-risking against a pressured share price.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock surged +27.5% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with the strategic importance of new Japanese and European patents, which extend protection for REQORSA combinations with PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies. Past IP and clinical updates sometimes led to muted or negative moves despite positive content, so a large gain would mark a departure from that pattern. Investors would still need to weigh execution risks in Acclaim-3 and the broader pipeline when assessing sustainability of a move of 5%+.
Key Terms
pd-l1 antibodies medical
pd-1 antibodies medical
gene therapy medical
immunotherapies medical
small cell lung cancer medical
clinical trial medical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Japanese Patent Covers Acclaim-3 Clinical Trial Combining REQORSA Gene Therapy with Genentech, Inc.'s
Tecentriq®
"The recent decisions by the Japanese Patent Office and European Patent Office to grant patents for our REQORSA gene therapy in combination with immunotherapies represent further validation for our innovative approach to cancer treatment," said Thomas Gallagher, Senior Vice President of Intellectual Property and Licensing at Genprex. "These patents will strengthen our global intellectual property portfolio, providing protection for therapeutic combinations, including our ongoing Acclaim-3 clinical trial."
These patents build upon Genprex's existing intellectual property framework. The Company already holds granted patents for the use of REQORSA in combination with PD-L1 antibodies in the
About Acclaim-3
Acclaim-3 is a Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating the combination of REQORSA and Genentech's Tecentriq® (atezolizumab) as maintenance therapy in patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) who are candidates for maintenance therapy after receiving Tecentriq and chemotherapy as standard of care initial treatment. In this study, patients will be treated with REQORSA and Tecentriq until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity is experienced.
The Phase 2 expansion study follows the successful completion of the Phase 1 dose escalation portion of the study, which showed REQORSA was generally well tolerated. There were no dose limiting toxicities, and in Acclaim-3, the Phase 2 patients are receiving the same dose of REQORSA as patients in the Phase 2 portion of Acclaim-1.
The Phase 2 expansion portion is expected to enroll approximately 50 patients. The primary endpoint of the Phase 2 portion is to determine the 18-week progression-free survival rate from the time of the start of maintenance therapy with REQORSA and Tecentriq in patients with ES-SCLC. Patients will also be followed for survival. Genprex's team plans to conduct an interim analysis after the 25th patient enrolled and treated reaches 18 weeks of follow up. The Company expects to complete enrollment of the first 25 patients for interim analysis in the Phase 2 expansion portion of the study in the first half of 2026 and expects the interim analysis in the second half of 2026. The Acclaim-3 clinical trial is supported by FDA Fast Track Designation and Orphan Drug Designation.
About Genprex, Inc.
Genprex, Inc. is a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on developing life-changing therapies for patients with cancer and diabetes. Genprex's technologies are designed to administer disease-fighting genes to provide new therapies for large patient populations with cancer and diabetes who currently have limited treatment options. Genprex works with world-class institutions and collaborators to develop drug candidates to further its pipeline of gene therapies in order to provide novel treatment approaches. Genprex's oncology program utilizes its systemic, non-viral Oncoprex® Delivery System which encapsulates the gene-expressing plasmids using lipid-based nanoparticles in a lipoplex form. The resultant product is administered intravenously, where it is taken up by tumor cells that then express tumor suppressor proteins that were deficient in the tumor. The Company's lead product candidate, Reqorsa® Gene Therapy (quaratusugene ozeplasmid), is being evaluated in two clinical trials as a treatment for NSCLC and SCLC. Each of Genprex's lung cancer clinical programs has received a Fast Track Designation from the FDA for the treatment of that patient population, and Genprex's SCLC program has received an FDA Orphan Drug Designation. Genprex's diabetes gene therapy approach is comprised of a novel infusion process that uses an AAV vector to deliver Pdx1 and MafA genes directly to the pancreas. In models of Type 1 diabetes, GPX-002 transforms alpha cells in the pancreas into functional beta-like cells, which can produce insulin but may be distinct enough from beta cells to evade the body's immune system. In a similar approach for Type 2 diabetes, where autoimmunity is not at play, GPX-002 is believed to rejuvenate and replenish exhausted beta cells.
Interested investors and shareholders are encouraged to sign up for press releases and industry updates by visiting the Company Website, registering for Email Alerts and by following Genprex on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of management, are not guarantees of performance and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. These forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various important factors, including those set forth in Genprex's reports that it files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission and which you should review, including those statements under "Item 1A – Risk Factors" in Genprex's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Because forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: Genprex's ability to advance the clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization of its product candidates in accordance with projected timelines and specifications; the timing and success of Genprex's clinical trials, its intended regulatory submissions and any resulting regulatory approvals; the effect of Genprex's product candidates, alone and in combination with other therapies, on cancer and diabetes; Genprex's future growth and financial status, including Genprex's ability to maintain compliance with the continued listing requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market and to continue as a going concern and to obtain capital to meet its long-term liquidity needs on acceptable terms, or at all; Genprex's commercial and strategic partnerships, including those with its third party vendors, suppliers and manufacturers and their ability to successfully perform and scale up the manufacture of its product candidates; Genprex's intellectual property and licenses, including the potential for future grants of patent applications globally; and Genprex's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry and markets in which it operates.
These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as predictions of future events and Genprex cannot assure you that the events or circumstances discussed or reflected in these statements will be achieved or will occur. If such forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. You should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by Genprex or any other person that Genprex will achieve its objectives and plans in any specified timeframe, or at all. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Genprex disclaims any obligation to publicly update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.
Genprex, Inc.
(877) 774-GNPX (4679)
GNPX Investor Relations
investors@genprex.com
GNPX Media Contact
Kalyn Dabbs
media@genprex.com
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SOURCE Genprex, Inc.
FAQ
What did Genprex (GNPX) announce on February 23, 2026 about REQORSA patents?
How do the new Japan and EU patents affect Genprex's Acclaim-3 (GNPX) clinical trial?
Which jurisdictions already had patents for REQORSA combinations before the Feb 23, 2026 update from GNPX?
Does Genprex (GNPX) hold exclusive licenses for the newly granted patents in Japan and Europe?
Will the Japan and EU patent grants broaden Genprex's (GNPX) global intellectual property landscape?
