TuHURA Biosciences Secures Patent for Delta Opioid Receptor Technology

U.S. Patent No. 12,734,168 covers the administration of DOR antagonists to patients with cancers linked to DOR-expressing Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs). According to Dr. James Bianco, CEO of TuHURA, the company is the first to identify the central role these receptors play in shielding cancers from the immune system. By inhibiting these receptors, the company believes it can strip away the immunosuppressive barrier that allows tumors to survive.

The patent, which remains active through 2043, extends beyond antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). It encompasses broader applications in adoptive cellular immunotherapies, including CAR-T, Treg, and TIL cell therapies. TuHURA is currently utilizing this intellectual property to advance bi-functional, bi-specific ADCs toward proof-of-concept preclinical models for blood-related cancers, specifically AML and MDS. This development marks a shift in the company’s strategy to address both primary and acquired resistance to existing cancer treatments.