Frankfurt: Dr Falk Pharma GmbH and Allianthera have announced a strategic agreement to co-develop and commercialise ATB102, an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist currently in Phase 1 trials in the United States. The collaboration focuses on advancing ATB102 as a treatment for refractory moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis and potentially broader inflammatory bowel disease indications.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, under the agreement, Dr Falk Pharma secures exclusive global rights, excluding Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, to license, manufacture, and commercialise ATB102. Allianthera will receive upfront fees, development and sales milestone payments, and tiered royalties in return.

Dr Falk Pharma’s Managing Director of Science and Innovation, Dr Kai Pinkernell, expressed that ATB102 expands the company’s pipeline and reinforces its commitment to innovation in digestive disease treatment. He stated, “We look forward to the collaboration with Allianthera to bring this promising therapy to patients worldwide.”

Allianthera’s CEO, Yuanhua Ding, highlighted that this partnership combines Allianthera’s discovery capabilities with Dr Falk’s formulation and clinical expertise. “Together, we aim to accelerate the delivery of a much-needed therapy for UC,” Ding added.

ATB102, developed by Allianthera, is a gut-targeted AhR agonist possessing anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and mucosal barrier-restoring properties. Preclinical data indicates that the compound provides a differentiated mechanism of action for patients unresponsive to existing therapies.

Dr Falk Pharma, in collaboration with its contract development and manufacturing organisation arm Losan Pharma, will work on developing a colonic-release formulation to optimise the delivery of ATB102 in the lower gastrointestinal tract.