- Preclinical in vivo efficacy data in atopic dermatitis extend previous PoC in allergic asthma
- Positive opinion from the European Patent Office strengthens patent protection of ATP-R13
- Progress significantly enhances the strategic attractiveness of ATP-R13 as a broadly applicable, disease-modifying therapy across multiple allergic indications
Geneva (Switzerland), January 20, 2026 – Atopia Therapeutics, a leader in the development of innovative, disease-modifying therapies for allergic and atopic diseases, today announced significant progress in the development of its lead compound ATP-R13. The Company has successfully generated new preclinical in vivo efficacy data supporting the potential of ATP-R13 as a novel oral treatment for atopic dermatitis, an allergic condition commonly known as eczema.
As part of its ongoing development program, Atopia evaluated the effect of orally administered ATP-R13. In total, 56 mice were included in the study, assessing the efficacy of ATP-R13 compared to dexamethasone (a validated anti-inflammatory corticosteroid positive control) on local skin inflammation in the well-established ovalbumin-induced atopic dermatitis mouse model.
ATP-R13
significantly reduced skin thickness and improved skin pathological scores,
with effects comparable to dexamethasone. These findings suggest that ATP-R13
offers therapeutic potential beyond its initial development focus on allergic
asthma and support further exploration of the compound in inflammatory
skin diseases. “Our
goal is to provide an easy-to-administer, causative, disease-modifying allergy
treatment that can both prevent and alleviate allergic reactions,” said Dr.
Grégoire Chevalier, CEO of Atopia. “We are therefore excited that the
proof-of-concept of ATP-R13 in preclinical studies was confirmed, and that the
compound seems to address a broader scope of allergic diseases.” Complementing
the advancement of its lead program, Atopia has achieved a major milestone in
strengthening its intellectual property position. The Company’s composition-of-matter
patent application covering ATP-R13 has received a positive International
Preliminary Report on Patentability (IPRP) under the Patent Cooperation Treaty
(PCT). As a result, the patent application is now entering the national and
regional phases. This favorable assessment from the European Patent Office
significantly enhances the likelihood of patent grant across the jurisdictions
applied for and extends the potential patent protection for ATP-R13 until 2043.
“The
PCT International Preliminary Report on Patentability has accepted that our patent
application is novel, inventive, and is industrially applicable,” said Dr.
Jeffrey Shaw, COO of Atopia. “It provides strong validation of the novelty of
our approach and substantially strengthens the long-term protection of ATP-R13,
which is critical for future development, partnering, and commercialization
activities.” Together,
the new preclinical data and the strengthened intellectual property position
underscore Atopia’s continued progress in advancing ATP-R13 and building a
robust foundation for its further development across multiple therapeutic
indications.
About Atopia Therapeutics Atopia
Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing novel, microbiome-based preventive
and therapeutic treatments to address the root causes of allergic diseases. The
Company’s lead program, ATP-R13, is an orally administered immunomodulatory
protein designed to induce immune tolerance and reduce inflammation across
multiple type-2 atopic indications, including asthma, eczema, and food
allergies.
Atopia
Therapeutics is based in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information, please
visit www.atopiatx.com.
About ATP-R13 ATP-R13 is a patented,
optimized, recombinant version of a protein naturally secreted by Helicobacter
pylori, a constituent of the gastric microbiome. Atopia is developing a
formulated, orally administered version of this immunomodulatory protein
designed to restore immune balance and reduce inflammation and allergic
symptoms.
ATP-R13 acts
locally in the stomach, where it interacts with immune cells of the host and
induces immune tolerance through the generation of tolerizing dendritic cells
and regulatory T cells (Tregs). These immune effects translate into systemic
anti-inflammatory activity across multiple target organs, including the lungs
and skin. Importantly, the treatment acts independently of the triggering
antigen, supporting its potential as a broadly applicable approach across
allergic indications.
Multiple in
vitro and in vivo studies have already demonstrated the molecule’s
safety, tolerability, and therapeutic potential. The lead optimization phase of
the development program has been completed and IND-enabling activities are
currently underway.
Atopia Therapeutics, SA Dr. Jeffrey Shaw, COO Campus Biotech –
Innovation Center 15, Avenue de
Sécheron CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland Tel. +41 22 794 40 20 Tel. +41 78 664 55 83
Media
Inquiries akampion Dr. Ludger Wess / Ines-Regina
Buth Managing Partners Tel. +49 40 88 16 59 64 / Tel. +49 30 23 63
27 68
