On September 13, 2017 Alligator Bioscience (Nasdaq Stockholm: ATORX), a biotechnology company developing antibody-based pharmaceuticals for tumor-directed immunotherapy, reported that a research collaboration agreement has been signed with Professor Ignacio Melero, MD, PhD, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA) and Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Spain, to further investigate the biology of 4-1BB (CD137) as a target in cancer immunotherapy (Press release, Alligator Bioscience, SEP 13, 2017, View Source [SID1234538686]).
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Alligator has two pipeline programs targeting 4-1BB, the fully owned monospecific antibody ATOR-1017, and the bispecific antibody ALG.APV-527, co-developed with Aptevo therapeutics.
Under the collaboration agreement, the team led by Professor Melero primarily will investigate the biological effects of 4-1BB activation in various pre-clinical cancer immunotherapy models. Professor Melero has acted as a scientific advisor and collaboration partner for Alligator since 2014.
Professor Melero, principal investigator at the Immunology and Immunotherapy Program of CIMA and codirector of the Immunology Department of Clínica Universidad de Navarra, has contributed extensively to the understanding of the anti-tumor properties of 4-1BB antibodies in cancer. His landmark studies have opened the field of 4-1BB-targeted immunotherapy, and this is now generally considered to be one of the most promising approaches within immuno-oncology.
4-1BB belongs to the so-called TNF receptor superfamily and plays a critical role in immune responses and immunological memory to cancer. CIMA is the University of Navarra’s biomedical research institute. Its mission is to carry out translational research to a high standard of excellence, based on novel biological knowledge and aimed at finding therapeutic solutions to unsolved medical’s needs.
"I am very enthusiastic about the extended collaboration with Alligator. Its 4-1BB drug candidates provide great new treatment opportunities within immuno-oncology", said Professor Ignacio Melero. "The fact that 4-1BB is upregulated on tumor-specific T cells, together with its capacity to promote survival, expansion and functional activity of several immune cells involved in tumor eradication, makes 4-1BB a uniquely appealing target for immunotherapy of cancer."
"We are very fortunate to have Professor Melero as a research collaborator", said Per Norlén, CEO of Alligator Bioscience. "He is a world leading expert in the field of 4-1BB and immuno-therapy and his scientific guidance will be extremely valuable both for our pipeline projects, and to help fulfill our ambition to deliver first and best-in-class products to patients."
For further information:
Cecilia Hofvander, Director Investor Relations & Communications
Phone +46 46 286 44 95
E-mail: [email protected]
This information is information that Alligator Bioscience AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 08:30 a.m. CEST on 13 September 2017.