Genprex Secures Exclusive License for Glioblastoma Gene Therapy from UTHealth

By Eshorjit : Infinitrix News Team | May 6, 2025

Houston, TX — Biotech firm Genprex Inc. announced on Tuesday that it has secured exclusive licensing rights to a new gene therapy developed by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), aimed at combating glioblastoma—one of the most aggressive and lethal forms of brain cancer.

A New Frontier in Cancer Therapy

The therapy, which uses a proprietary non-viral nanoparticle delivery system, targets specific genetic pathways involved in tumor growth and resistance to existing treatments. Initial lab and animal testing has shown promising results in shrinking glioblastoma tumors and improving survival markers.

“We’re thrilled to be advancing this groundbreaking science from UTHealth into clinical development,” said Rodney Varner, Chairman and CEO of Genprex. “Glioblastoma patients urgently need new hope. This partnership gives us a path to deliver it.”

The experimental therapy is expected to enter Phase I human trials by late 2025, pending regulatory clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Why Glioblastoma?

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) affects roughly 13,000 Americans each year and is known for its poor prognosis, with median survival times of just 12–18 months under standard care. The disease is notably resistant to chemotherapy and radiation, making it a prime target for novel therapeutic approaches.

Genprex aims to integrate the therapy into its existing Oncoprex platform, which includes other gene therapies under development for lung and pancreatic cancer.

UTHealth’s Role and Reaction

The licensed technology originated from UTHealth’s McGovern Medical School and was developed under the guidance of Dr. Alicia Nguyen, a neuro-oncology specialist and lead investigator of the original research.

“Our team has worked tirelessly to identify targets that glioblastoma cells cannot adapt around. This technology holds real translational promise,” Dr. Nguyen said in a statement.

The licensing deal also includes milestone payments and royalties on potential commercial sales, though financial details were not disclosed.

Market Response and Next Steps

Following the announcement, Genprex shares rose 8.3% in premarket trading as investors welcomed the expansion into high-need oncology indications. Analysts say the company’s strategic pivot toward rare cancers with limited treatment options could attract institutional support and FDA fast-track attention.

The company plans to begin IND-enabling studies this quarter and submit a full Investigational New Drug application later this year.

Conclusion

As gene therapy continues to mature from experimental to impactful, partnerships like that of Genprex and UTHealth represent a promising shift toward targeted, patient-specific treatments. If early trials prove successful, glioblastoma care may be entering a new chapter—where genetic precision takes center stage.