TuHURA Biosciences Secures Key Patent for DOR Technology
News related to:TuHURA Biosciences, Inc · 2 min read
TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 5, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- TuHURA Biosciences, Inc. has secured a significant milestone with the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 12,734,168, which covers the company’s groundbreaking Delta Opioid Receptor (DOR) technology. The patent, issued on September 15, 2026, is a testament to the company’s innovative approach to overcoming resistance to cancer immunotherapy. This patent not only protects the use of DOR antagonists in combination therapies but also extends to other important classes of cancer immunotherapies, such as adoptive cellular immunotherapies like CAR-T, Tregs, or TIL cell therapies.
Dr. James Bianco, President and Chief Executive Officer of TuHURA Biosciences, highlighted the significance of this patent.
The patent covers the administration of DOR antagonists to cancer subjects and the mediation of immunosuppressive myelopoiesis. It also discloses applications of DOR antagonists beyond antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), including the potential for use in autologous or allogeneic adoptive cellular immunotherapies. The patent term runs through 2043 before any patent term extension.
TuHURA Biosciences is a Phase 3 immuno-oncology company developing novel technologies to overcome primary and acquired resistance to cancer immunotherapy. The company’s lead innate immune agonist, IFx-2.0, is designed to overcome primary resistance to checkpoint inhibitors. TuHURA has initiated a single randomized placebo-controlled Phase 3 registration trial of IFx-2.0 administered as an adjunctive therapy to Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) compared to Keytruda® plus placebo in first-line treatment for advanced or metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma.
In addition to its innate immune agonist product candidates, TuHURA is developing TBS2025, a VISTA-inhibiting monoclonal antibody (mAb) moving into Phase 1b clinical trial in patients with mutNPM1 r/r AML, a molecularly defined subgroup of AML. The company is also leveraging its DOR technology to develop first-in-class, bi-specific, bi-functional antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting MDSCs to inhibit their immune-suppressing effects on the tumor microenvironment. These ADCs aim to prevent T cell exhaustion and acquired resistance to checkpoint inhibitors and cellular therapies.
The patent issued to TuHURA Biosciences underscores the company’s commitment to advancing innovative cancer treatments. The patent covers a wide range of applications, including the use of DOR antagonists in combination therapies and adoptive cellular immunotherapies. This comprehensive protection will likely provide TuHURA with a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving field of cancer immunotherapy.
TuHURA Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:HURA) is focused on developing novel technologies to overcome resistance to cancer immunotherapy. The company’s lead product, IFx-2.0, is currently in a Phase 3 trial, while TBS2025 is progressing through Phase 1b clinical trials. The issuance of this patent is a significant step forward for the company and its efforts to advance cancer immunotherapy.