Alligator Bioscience´s protein drug candidate ADC-1004 for treatment of ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury reduced myocardial infarct size in a porcine model

Lund, Sweden, January 11, 2010 – Alligator Bioscience, the protein optimization company, is pleased to announce positive results from its drug candidate ADC-1004 in a closed-chest porcine model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). ADC-1004 was found to significantly reduce infarct size, which in the clinical situation is expected to reduce mortality, incidence of heart failure and incidence of malignant arrhythmias. In addition, preliminary studies of ADC-1004 in two other I/R injury models, a porcine transplantation model and a rat stroke model, showed promising results supporting the hypothesis of ADC-1004’s role in I/R injury.
Bengt Larsson, Chief Medical Officer at Alligator Bioscience, says “we believe ADC-1004 has the potential to become a standard add-on treatment in any situation where I/R injury is a risk, including AMI treated with PCI“. Gun-Britt Fransson, Chief Executive Officer of Alligator Bioscience comments “We are of course encouraged by the positive results obtained in the animal models. We realize that the potential of ADC-1004 to reduce mortality in some of the most frequent death causing diseases, and to give a better life of millions of patients, is significant. We look forward to develop this candidate in collaboration with a partner with expertise in diseases where I/R injury is crucial, such as AMI, stroke, and transplantation.”

About ADC-1004
ADC-1004 is a selective antagonist of the C5a receptor for the treatment of I/R injury. It is a small optimized anti-inflammatory protein. The candidate blocks a target that is accessible prior to reperfusion, the C5a receptor on circulating neutrophils. This allows treatment to be administered before reperfusion. 

About I/R injury
I/R injury refers to damage occurring when blood flow returns to tissue after a period of ischemia. The absence of oxygen and nutrients creates a situation in which restoration of circulation paradoxically results in inflammation and additional damage, rather than normal function. I/R injury is an important contributor to organ damage in many circumstances, including AMI treated with PCI, stroke treated with thrombolysis, and transplantation. No treatment is yet available to reduce I/R injury.

About Alligator Bioscience AB
Alligator Bioscience discovers and develops biopharmaceuticals using protein optimization technologies, including its proprietary FIND® (Fragment INduced Diversity) technology. The company is building a competitive pipeline of novel and improved drug candidates in cancer and inflammation.
Alligator Bioscience can redesign virtually any characteristics of a protein that can be translated into significant clinical benefits, including higher efficacy and potency, improved safety profile and decreased immunogenicity. The company offers unique opportunities to discover novel protein drug candidates as well as creating second generation biopharmaceuticals.
Alligator Bioscience has successfully collaborated with many companies in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, including AstraZeneca, Bayer HealthCare and Wyeth.

For further general information please visit www.alligatorbioscience.com.

Contact:
Alligator Bioscience AB 
Dr Gun-Britt Fransson, CEO 
Scheelevägen 19A
SE-223 70 Lund, Sweden
Tel:   +46 (0)46-2864280  +46 (0)46-2864280  
Fax:  +46 (0)46-2864290