Newly Granted US Composition of Matter Patent Extends Exclusive Protection for VBL Therapeutics' Lead Drug Candidate VB-111 Until October 2033

VBL Therapeutics

, today announced the grant of US Patent No. 9,200,056, entitled "A Fas-Chimera Adenovirus Vector" by the United State Patent Office (USPTO) which covers VB-111, VBL's lead drug candidate. This composition patent provides intellectual property protection for VB-111 in the US until October 2033 before any patent term extension. "This granted patent is exceptionally important to VBL since it secures IP rights for VB-111 in multiple oncology indications until at least 2033. It is a strong addition to our Vascular Targeting System (VTS™) portfolio," said Erez Feige, Ph.D., Vice President of Business Operations of VBL Therapeutics. "The issuance of this patent gives us at least 18 years of exclusivity on our lead drug candidate, VB-111, which is currently being investigated in our GLOBE Phase 3 pivotal trial for recurrent GBM, in addition to Phase 2 trials in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and radioactive-iodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer. With positive data from three cancer indications and such a long IP lifespan, our goal is to exploit the full potential of VB-111 in multiple oncology indications," said Dror Harats, M.D., CEO of VBL Therapeutics. Recently, VBL presented data from its Phase 2 trial of VB-111 in recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (rGBM), which demonstrated that the overall survival rate for patients treated with VB-111 in combination with bevacizumab (Avastin®) upon disease progression (continuous exposure cohort) was 57% at 12 months. This compares with an overall 12 month survival of 28% (range 16% to 38%) in the data pooled from four Avastin® studies (p = 0.007). VBL's pivotal Phase 3 GLOBE study in rGBM is comparing VB-111 in combination with bevacizumab to bevacizumab alone and is recruiting about 252 patients in the US, Canada and Israel. The study is proceeding under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) granted by the FDA, with full endorsement by the Canadian Brain Tumor Consortium (CBTC). VB-111 has received orphan drug designation in the United States and Europe and was granted Fast Track designation by the FDA for prolongation of survival in patients with glioblastoma that has recurred following treatment with standard chemotherapy and radiation.