Aptahem submits patent application based on new results, drafts a prospectus supplement and extends subscription period

Aptahem (publ) announced today that the company has submitted a new patent application based on the latest research results of Apta-1, with the aim of strengthening the company’s intellectual property rights portfolio. The new patent application is based on results from several previous studies conducted by the company and the recent positive results evaluated Apta-1 as a clinically relevant model for sepsis. The company believes that the patent application significantly changes the previously communicated commercial potential of Apta-1 and is therefore choosing to announce this to the market. A prospectus supplement is being drafted and will shortly be submitted to the Financial Supervisory Authority (Sw. “Finansinspektionen”). In light of the prospectus supplement, the subscription period will be extended to 9th October 2017 (extended from 4 October 2017).

Aptahem (publ) announced today that the company has completed and submitted a new patent application to the European Patent Office (EPO) concerning the multiple-use effect profile of the drug candidate Apta-1. The new patent application is based on results from several previous studies conducted by the company in its previous and current indication area and the recently presented results of tests of Apta-1 for sepsis in an animal model. The submitted patent application intends to protect the significantly improved survival rate achieved in trials with the sepsis model. Due to the technical sophistication and unique character of the results, as evaluated by an independent patent laywer, the company considered them appropriate for protection.

The technical appraisal process began in March 2017 and has found the invention to be unique, patentable and commercially valuable for protection. After results from two successful animal trials, Aptahem judged there was sufficient material to submit a patent application. The document describes Apta-1’s multiple mechanisms and numerous potential applications. Besides sepsis, the patent covers a number of inflammatory diseases (eg. rheumatoid arthritis, transplantation dislocation, lung diseases and cancers) as well as several coagulation-driven conditions (acute trombolic conditions, trauma and diseases that can cause dysfunctional coagulation). If the patent is approved, the company estimates that the protection may extend to 2037, which will considerably strengthen and extend the existing portfolio.

Aptahem’s CEO Mikael Lindstam comments, ”Each additional year of patent protection for an advertised product entails considerable earnings, which in our case will result in a substantial increase in the value of our portfolio. We have previously announced the ongoing patent evaluation and can now announce its success to our shareholders. The extended protection of the confirmed multiple properties of Apta-1 for acute medical conditions expands our profile with a new patent branch that improves the value offered to licentiates and thereby potentially also the value of the company.”

The potentially extended protection period for Apta-1 and the improved commercial possibilities of the patent application have been judged by the company as sufficiently significant for the company to communicate the patent application via press release. In the future, the company will evaluate further patent opportunities, addressable markets and application areas to create new development opportunities for pharmaceutical candidates Apta-2 and Apta-3.

For further information:
Mikael Lindstam, CEO, Aptahem AB
Tel: + 46 (0)766-33 36 99
E-mail: ml@aptahem.com

About Aptahem
Aptahem AB (APTA) is a biotechnology company that develops aptamer-based pharmaceuticals for the treatment of life-threatening conditions in which a combination of coagulation and inflammation are involved. The company’s primary pharmaceutical candidate, Apta-1, is being developed with the aim of preventing the high mortality rate caused by organ and tissue damage in sepsis patients, among others. The company possesses patent protection in strategic target markets and actively seeks business development opportunities with potential collaborators.

This information is information which Aptahem AB (publ) is obliged to publish under the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was provided by the auspices of the above contact person, for publication on 3 October 2017.