[Edaily Reporter NA EUN-KYUNG ] #Rznomics Inc. announced on the 24th that it has received a decision granting a U.S. patent for its Alzheimer’s disease gene therapy candidate “RZ-003.”

With this patent registration, the company has secured rights related to RZ-003 in the U.S., following registrations in South Korea, Australia, and Canada. Patent examinations are currently underway in Europe, Japan, and China as well.

RZ-003 is an RNA-based gene therapy candidate that corrects the APOE4 gene—known as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease—into the APOE2 or APOE3ch form. APOE4 is known to be a genotype that increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, and RZ-003 is designed to reduce the expression of disease-related genes while inducing the expression of genes expected to have a protective effect.

This patent is a substance patent covering RNA endonuclease technology that cuts and replaces specific regions of APOE4 RNA. According to the company, it was registered with a structure that imposes no restrictions on the type of therapeutic gene, delivery method, or type of nucleic acid (such as DNA or RNA), laying the groundwork for future expansion into various follow-up pipeline projects.

While some antibody therapies targeting amyloid beta have been approved for Alzheimer’s disease, limitations regarding their therapeutic efficacy and safety have been raised. In particular, as patients carrying the APOE4 gene have been reported to have a relatively higher risk of developing amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), the development of therapies based on new mechanisms continues.

APOE (Apolipoprotein E) is a gene that encodes a protein involved in lipid metabolism and transport, and APOE4 is known as a major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. According to research, carrying one copy of APOE4 increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, and carrying two copies further elevates that risk.

Lee Seong-wook, CEO of Rznomics Inc., stated, “With the registration of the substance patent for RZ-003 in the U.S., our global intellectual property portfolio for the RNA exonuclease platform has been further strengthened,” adding, “We will continue to actively pursue the securing of rights in major countries and commercialization with global companies.”