New preclinical data support good tolerability properties for the 4-1BB antibody ATOR-1017
Lund, Sweden, September 28, 2018 – Alligator Bioscience (Nasdaq Stockholm: ATORX), a biotechnology company developing antibody-based pharmaceuticals for tumor-directed immunotherapy, will present preclinical safety data for the drug candidate ATOR-1017 at the 4th CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer lmmunotherapy Conference in New York, USA. The conference is taking place from September 30 - October 3, 2018.
ATOR-1017 is a monoclonal antibody in development for the treatment of metastasizing cancer. It activates the costimulatory receptor 4-1BB and its immunostimulatory function is dependent on cross-linking to Fc-gamma receptors on immune cells.
The new data include preclinical safety studies supporting a good tolerability profile of ATOR-1017. The inclination for inducing cytokine release, a common adverse effect of immunotherapy, was assessed in standardized assays and was found to be low. In accord, ATOR-1017 was found to be well tolerated in a repeated dose toxicology study with no signs of adverse events. Furthermore, the expression of 4-1BB in circulating immune cells of cancer patients was found to be low. Also, co-expression of the two targets needed for effect, 4-1BB and Fc-gamma receptors, was seen in tumors but lacking in healthy liver tissue. Taken together, these data support the potential of ATOR-1017 to induce stronger immune activation in the tumor area compared to other parts of the body, which is believed to minimize the risk of systemic immune-related adverse events.
“ATOR-1017 is designed to have a superior safety and efficacy profile through its tumor-directed properties, and we are delighted that our new preclinical safety data support this. We will now push ahead with CTA-enabling activities which will allow us to begin clinical trials in cancer patients next year,” said Christina Furebring, SVP Research, at Alligator Bioscience.
Dr Eva Dahlén, Senior Director Business Development at Alligator, will present a poster (A183) with the title: “ATOR-1017; a 4-1BB antibody designed for superior safety/efficacy profile in cancer immunotherapy” on Sunday, September 30, 11:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m. EDT (17:45-20:15 CEST).
For further information, please contact:
Cecilia Hofvander, Director Investor Relations & Communications
Phone +46 46 286 44 95
E-mail: cecilia.hofvander@alligatorbioscience.com
This information is such information as 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 8:30 a.m. CEST on September 28, 2018.
About ATOR-1017
ATOR-1017 is an immunostimulatory antibody (IgG4) that binds to the costimulatory receptor 4-1BB (also known as CD137) expressed on tumor-specific T cells and NK cells. 4-1BB has the capacity to support the immune cells involved in tumor control, making 4-1BB a particularly attractive target for cancer immunotherapy.
ATOR-1017 is differentiated from other 4-1BB antibodies, partly because of its unique binding profile, but also because its immunostimulatory function is dependent on cross-linking to Fc-gamma receptors on immune cells. The aim is to achieve effective tumor-targeted immune stimulation with minimum side effects. ATOR-1017 is planned to enter clinical studies 2019.
About Alligator Bioscience
Alligator Bioscience AB is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing tumor-directed immuno-oncology antibody drugs. Alligator’s growing pipeline includes four lead clinical and pre-clinical drug candidates (ADC-1013, ATOR-1015, ATOR-1017 and ALG.APV-527).
ADC-1013 (JNJ-7107) is licensed to Janssen Biotech, Inc., part of J&J, for global development and commercialization. Alligator’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (ATORX). The Company is headquartered in Lund, Sweden, and has approximately 50 employees. For more information, please visit www.alligatorbioscience.com.