ABL Bio Secures Domestic Patent for 4-1BB Monoclonal Antibody

Development of Grabody-T, a Bispecific Antibody Platform Utilizing 4-1BB Monoclonal Antibody

ABL Bio, a company specializing in bispecific antibodies, announced on September 26 that it has received a decision of patent grant for its 4-1BB monoclonal antibody and its applications in South Korea. This patent, which was filed internationally in December 2019, will be valid until 2039. ABL Bio has already registered the 4-1BB monoclonal antibody patent in the United States, China, Japan, and Australia, while the European patent is currently under review.

4-1BB is a protein involved in the activation of T cells, which are a type of immune cell that protects our bodies. The 4-1BB monoclonal antibody binds to the 4-1BB antigen and activates T cells through 4-1BB, enabling these T cells to attack cancer cells. The first company to develop a 4-1BB monoclonal antibody was Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS). Although the 4-1BB monoclonal antibody developed by BMS showed strong anticancer efficacy in clinical trials and generated high expectations, development was halted due to reports of severe liver toxicity.

To overcome the limitations of 4-1BB monoclonal antibodies, ABL Bio developed the bispecific antibody 'Grabody-T.' Bispecific antibodies can be designed to bind to cancer antigens such as Claudin18.2 and HER2, and to activate T cells through 4-1BB only within the tumor microenvironment where cancer cells are present. Currently, bispecific antibodies based on Grabody-T in clinical stages include ABL111 (Givastomig), ABL503 (Ragistomig), ABL103, ABL104 (YH32364), and ABL105 (YH32367).

Currently, ABL111 (Givastomig) is undergoing a Phase 1b clinical trial in the United States, in combination with Nivolumab and a chemotherapy agent. After announcing promising data from the dose escalation part of the trial in July this year, the company also plans to release top-line data from the dose expansion part of the Phase 1b trial in the first quarter of next year. ABL103 is in Phase 1b/2 trials in the United States, South Korea, and Australia, in triple combination therapy with Pembrolizumab and Taxane. ABL503 (Ragistomig) is undergoing a Phase 1 trial as a monotherapy in the United States and South Korea.

Lee Sanghoon, CEO of ABL Bio, stated, "Global clinical trials for our 4-1BB-based bispecific antibodies are progressing smoothly. Recently, we have been developing 4-1BB bispecific antibodies with clinical strategies designed to further maximize anticancer efficacy through combination with existing therapies. In addition, we are actively securing overseas patents, which are essential for technology transfer and commercialization." He added, "Since ABL111 (Givastomig) showed very promising data in the dose escalation part of the Phase 1b trial, we expect the overall value of the Grabody-T platform to rise as well. We look forward to your continued interest and support."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.