On June 23, 2020 Alligator Bioscience (Nasdaq Stockholm: ATORX) reported that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued U.S. Patent No. US 10,689,454 which covers compositions of matter directed to Alligator’s drug candidate ATOR-1017, its wholly owned 4-1BB antibody in clinical Phase I development for the treatment of metastasized cancer (Press release, Alligator Bioscience, JUN 23, 2020, View Source [SID1234561373]). This is the first granted US patent related to ATOR-1017 and its earliest expiry year is 2037.

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"ATOR-1017 is one of our lead clinical assets and I am pleased to get this formal confirmation of our long-term exclusive rights. The patent approval illustrates our active IP strategy, maximizing protection for Alligator’s entire project portfolio in all key global markets, including the US," commented Per Norlén, CEO at Alligator Bioscience.

ATOR-1017 activates 4-1BB receptors which increases the ability of the immune system to detect and kill tumor cells. ATOR-1017 has a unique profile related to the fact that its immune-stimulatory function is stronger in areas where immune cells are abundant, notably in tumors. This creates an opportunity for a strong immune activation that can increase efficacy and reduce side effects for the patient.

The ongoing Phase I study is a dose escalation study in patients with advanced cancer. The study is conducted at three different clinics in Sweden and is planned to include up to 50 patients. Recruitment was temporarily paused in March and April 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic but has been resumed. The primary objective of the study is to assess the safety and tolerability of ATOR-1017 and to determine the recommended dose for the subsequent Phase II studies.

The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 08:30 a.m. CEST on June 23, 2020.