On November 9, 2018 Alligator Bioscience (Nasdaq Stockholm: ATORX), a biotechnology company that develops antibody-based drug candidates for tumor-directed immunotherapy and Aptevo Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: APVO), a biotechnology company that develops new treatments in immunology and hematology, reported that new preclinical data for ALG.APV-527 will be presented at the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper)’s (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) Scientific Conference, held in Washington, DC, USA, November 9-11, 2018 (Press release, Alligator Bioscience, NOV 9, 2018, View Source [SID1234531196]).

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ALG.APV-527 is a drug candidate for immunotherapeutic treatment of 5T4 positive solid cancer tumors. It is designed to activate the immune system via the co-stimulating receptor 4-1BB (CD137) on activated cytotoxic T cells and NK (Natural Killer) cells. ALG. APV-527 is designed to induce a powerful and tumor-directed immunoreactivation in the presence of 5T4 positive tumor cells. 5T4 is a tumor antigen found in a variety of malignant tumor types.

Preclinical data show that ALG.APV-527 is located in 5T4 positive tumors and selectively stimulates and enhances tumor-responsive immune responses of T cells and NKs, providing powerful anti-tumor effects. In brief, the preclinical data shows that ALG.APV-527 in the presence of 5T4 positive cells:

Increases the ability of CD8 positive T cells to secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN gamma
Strengthens NK cell’s cell killability
In addition, the new data confirm that the 5T4 antigen is found in a variety of tumor types. 5T4 positive tumor cells were detected in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumor, head and neck cancer, mesothelioma, pancreatic, bladder, kidney and ovarian cancer, but not in normal tissue samples such as liver and heart.

"Recent preclinical results further enhance ALG.APV-527’s potential for targeting 5T4 positive tumors and selectively activating the immune system via tumor-specific activation of T cells and NK cells. Overall, this gives potential for better anti-tumor effect with less side effects. We are now compiling a preclinical data packet with the goal of submitting a clinical trial (CTA) clinical trial in the second half of 2019, "said Christina Furebring, Senior Vice President Research at Alligator.

"Our new bispecific drug candidate ALG.APV-527 continues to show promising results in preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies. It exhibits properties such as goal-directed T-cell activation, optimized stability, an antibody-like half-life of 9 days, and good production characteristics. Aptevo and Alligator believe that this gives ALG.APV-527 a potential to become a unique anti-cancer drug for the treatment of several 5T4 expressive solid tumors, where there is today a major medical need. We are looking forward to submitting a CTA next year and then commencing clinical studies, "said Jane Gross, Chief Scientific Officer at Aptevo.

Alligator / Aptevos poster presentation titled "Potent Tumor-Directed T Cell Activation and Tumor Inhibition Induced by a 4-1BB x 5T4 ADAPTIR Bispecific Antibody " will be presented today November 9th from 18.45 to 14.45 (12.45-14.45 local) time) and from kl.30.30 to 2.30 (18.30-20.30 local time).

For more information, see View Source .

For further information please contact:
Cecilia Hofvander, Director Investor Relations & Communications
Telephone: 046-286 44 95
Email: [email protected]

This information is the information that Alligator Bioscience AB (publ) is obliged to disclose under the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Securities Market Act. The information was provided, through the contact of the above contact person, for publication on November 9, 2018, at 06:00.

About ALG.APV-527
ALG.APV-527 is a bispecific antibody (4-1BB x 5T4) intended for tumor directed treatment of solid cancer tumors. ALG.APV-527 was constructed by combining Alligator’s antibody library ALLIGATOR-GOLD and Aptevo’s bispecific technology ADAPTIR . The antibody ALG.APV-527 consists of two parts, one activating tumor-specific T cells via the co-stimulating receptor 4-1BB (CD137) and the other binding to the protein 5T4 on the surface of tumor cells. This controls the immune activating effect of ALG.APV-527 to the tumor and not to normal tissue.