On November 15, 2023 Heidelberg Pharma AG (FSE: HPHA) reported that its subsidiary Heidelberg Pharma Research GmbH has been granted a patent covering site-specific ATAC conjugates by the European Patent Office (EPO) (Press release, Heidelberg Pharma, NOV 15, 2023, View Source [SID1234637704]). Site-specific ATAC conjugates comprise a genetically engineered antibody to which Heidelberg Pharma’s proprietary amatoxin payloads can be coupled via specific linkers. The European patent also covers a method for the synthesis of such conjugates as well as their use in the treatment of diseases. It has a term until 2036. ATAC conjugates are antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) based on the toxin Amanitin.
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
The patent protects the use of Amanitin-based ADCs for research and development, as well as for the use in clinical studies and the commercialization of resulting product candidates.
Professor Andreas Pahl, Chief Scientific Officer of Heidelberg Pharma, comments: "We are very pleased that this patent has been granted, as it protects essential aspects of our ATAC technology, as e.g. improved safety and tolerability of our product candidates."
About Heidelberg Pharma’s proprietary ATAC technology
Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) combine the high affinity and specificity of antibodies with the potency of cytotoxic small molecules for the treatment of cancer. ATACs are ADCs whose active ingredient is the mushroom toxin Amanitin. Amanitin inhibits mRNA transcription by binding to RNA polymerase II, a mechanism that is crucial for the survival of eukaryotic cells. In preclinical testing, ATACs have been shown to be highly efficacious, overcoming frequently encountered resistance mechanisms and combating even quiescent tumor cells.