Eutilex, a biotechnology firm specializing in cancer immunotherapy, said Friday that it obtained Canadian patent for its antibody treatment EU101, which targets 4-1BB, a co-stimulatory receptor of T cells.

The patent registration guarantees technology's exclusive rights for EU101 antibodies and antigen-binding sites in Canada until 2038.

EU101 activates T cells by stimulating 4-1BB to increase the self-proliferation of the T cells and attacks cancer cells for the effective removal of tumors.

EU101 is an antibody treatment developed by Eutilex CEO Kwon Byeong-se, who first identified 4-1BB in 1989, based on his experience and understanding of the receptor. It showed superior anticancer effects over other antibodies targeting 4-1BB, the company said.

The toxic liver damage problem of existing antibodies that target 4-1BB was not observed in Eutilex's EU101. It proved to be an excellent antibody with high efficacy and safety compared to rival companies.

In 2019, Eutilex completed the registration of a patent for EU101 in the United States, which has the world's largest market. The company acquired a domestic patent with Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) based on the US patent.

In addition to Korea and U.S. patents, Eutilex also registered the patent for its EU101 in Australia, Japan, and Russia.

With the recognition of EU101's technological excellence and competitiveness, Eutilex successfully transferred technology to Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical, a Chinese company, in September 2017.

"We recently have signed a meaningful contract for the use of big data and biomarkers related to research and development. We were selected for the national support program for Covid-19 virus treatment," Eutilex Vice President Choi So-hee said. "The direction of the company's ongoing business and foundation of clinical and non-clinical stages ultimately comes from securing a patent."