In a major advancement for global medicine, Uganda’s Dei BioPharma has secured two groundbreaking patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), positioning the Kampala-based biotech firm at the forefront of next-generation cancer and immune disease therapies.
The patents—granted on July 21, 2025—cover two innovative therapeutic platforms developed by Ugandan scientist and inventor Dr. Matthias Magoola, the founder and Chief Scientist at Dei BioPharma.
Game-changing Cancer vaccine
The first patent protects a universal messenger RNA (mRNA) cancer vaccine that reprograms the immune system to target tumors previously invisible to immune responses. Unlike conventional vaccines that require customization for individual patients, Dr. Magoola’s approach uses non-tumor-specific antigens delivered in lipid nanoparticles, which trigger type-I interferon responses and widespread immune activation.
Preclinical trials have demonstrated complete tumor regression and up to 90% protection against recurrence. The vaccine also shows strong synergy with checkpoint inhibitors such as anti-PD-1 therapies, further enhancing its potential as a core component of modern cancer treatment.
The vaccine’s epitope spreading mechanism enables it to target multiple tumor markers at once, setting a new benchmark for cancer immunotherapy globally.
Next-generation immune therapy
The second patent covers a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) biologic that targets interleukin-23p19 (IL-23p19)—a cytokine implicated in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. This platform directly rivals leading biologics like Skyrizi® and Tremfya®, but with significant advantages.
Unlike conventional monoclonal antibodies, Dei BioPharma’s engineered scFv is smaller, more adaptable, and cost-efficient, allowing for diverse delivery methods such as inhalers, patches, nasal sprays, and topical applications. Fused with albumin or transferrin for enhanced delivery and longer half-life, the biologic is manufactured in microbial systems, cutting production costs by up to 80%.
“This is a new class of accessible biologics that could redefine treatment for millions living with immune disorders,” said Dr. Magoola.
“These patents are not just scientific achievements—they are moral declarations,” said Dr. Magoola. “We are abolishing the myth that cures belong only to the rich. This is the future of medicine—scientifically advanced, globally accessible, and deeply human.”
Dei BioPharma has stated that its mission goes beyond innovation—to ensure these therapies are made available to all, from advanced medical centers in developed countries to under-resourced clinics across Africa and the Global South.
Dr. Magoola was recently recognized with Uganda’s “Faces of Science” national award in June for his exceptional contributions to biotechnology and pharmaceutical research.
With these U.S. patent approvals, Dei BioPharma enters a new era as a serious global contender in therapeutic development—offering African-led solutions to some of the world’s most urgent health challenges.
