[Edaily Reporter NA EUN-KYUNG ] Rznomics Inc., a company specializing in the development of RNA-based gene therapies, announced on the 9th that it has received a decision granting a U.S. patent for RZ-002, its anti-cancer gene therapy platform. Rznomics Inc. has now secured exclusive rights in the United States, a major global market, following South Korea, Japan, and Australia.

RZ-002 is a next-generation anti-cancer gene therapy platform based on RNA exonuclease that simultaneously expresses an anti-cancer gene and an immune checkpoint inhibitor. It works by targeting the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene expressed in cancer cells. This system induces cancer cell death by specifically expressing anticancer genes in cancer cells, while simultaneously activating anticancer immunity by expressing immune checkpoint inhibitors only at the local tumor site. It is characterized by reducing systemic side effects and maximizing combined anticancer efficacy.

This patent has been granted broad protection that places no restrictions on the types or number of anticancer genes or immune checkpoint inhibitors. Consequently, it enables future combinations of various anticancer genes and immune checkpoint inhibitors, making it a highly scalable platform technology applicable to multiple cancer types.

In addition to the United States, Rznomics Inc. is currently filing and reviewing patent applications for RZ-002 in major countries around the world, including Europe and China, and is working to secure global rights.

CEO Lee Seong-wook stated, “With the registration of this next-generation anticancer platform patent in the U.S., our global intellectual property portfolio for the RNA-replacement enzyme platform has been further strengthened,” adding, “We will strive to develop effective treatment options for patients with intractable cancers through combinations with various cancer-related genes.”

Meanwhile, this platform technology was developed as a result of the company securing over 2.1 billion won in government research funding after being selected for the “Innovative New Drug Pipeline Discovery Project” organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT in 2019. Last May, Rznomics Inc. presented the results of preclinical studies on RZ-002 for brain cancer at the American Society for Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT 2026) conference, demonstrating that RZ-002 exhibited superior safety and anticancer activity compared to systemic administration of immunotherapy drugs.