Lund, Sweden, October 30, 2018 – Alligator Bioscience AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: ATORX), a biotechnology company developing antibody-based pharmaceuticals for tumor-directed immunotherapy, today announces that a new bispecific drug candidate, ATOR-1144, has entered preclinical development. ATOR-1144 is a first-in-class bispecific tumor-localized antibody targeting the checkpoint inhibitor CTLA-4 and the co-stimulatory receptor GITR.
The bispecific antibody ATOR-1144 is a dual immune activator targeting CTLA-4 and GITR. It works through several pathways, including activation of T cells, depletion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and activation of NK (natural killer) cells, for enhanced tumor cell killing. Based on its mode of action, ATOR-1144 may be suitable for the treatment of solid tumors as well as hematological cancers.
“We are very excited about the new drug candidate ATOR-1144, which is a novel tumor-localizing CTLA-4 bispecific antibody with the potential for enhanced Treg depletion. This latest progress further demonstrates Alligator’s capabilities in generating innovative bispecific immunotherapies”, said Per Norlén, CEO of Alligator Bioscience.
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 2:00 p.m. CET on October 30, 2018.
About ATOR-1144
ATOR-1144 is a bispecific antibody drug candidate targeting both CTLA-4 and GITR. It is a combination of a GITR specific antibody isolated from ALLIGATOR-GOLD®, while the CTLA-4 part was developed by FIND®optimization of CD86, a natural CTLA-4 ligand. GITR (Glucocorticoid-Induced TNFR family Related) is a member of the TNFR superfamily (TNFRSF) that is expressed in different cell types, including T lymphocytes and NK cells.
About Alligator Bioscience
Alligator Bioscience AB is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing tumor-directed immuno-oncology antibody drugs. Alligator’s growing pipeline includes five lead clinical and pre-clinical drug candidates (ADC-1013, ATOR-1015, ATOR-1017, ALG.APV-527 and ATOR-1144). 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.