Biopharmaceutical company Hoth Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:HOTH) announced on Thursday that it has been granted a key patent by the Japan Patent Office, expanding its global intellectual property portfolio in RNA-based precision oncology.

The patent covers antisense oligomers that target the KIT gene, a known oncogene involved in cancers such as gastrointestinal stromal tumours, leukaemia and mastocytosis.

Hoth's technology is designed to alter KIT pre-mRNA splicing or reduce KIT protein expression, offering a targeted therapeutic approach. The patent includes broad claims for antisense RNA molecules, including morpholino and chemically modified variants, pharmaceutical compositions and expression vectors.

The granted claims extend to applications in both human and veterinary medicine. This milestone strengthens Hoth's RNA therapeutics pipeline and reinforces its position in oncology and immunology.

CEO Robb Knie stated the patent validates Hoth's strategy of targeting the KIT pathway through antisense technology. The company now holds exclusive rights to develop, partner and commercialise therapies based on this approach.