SOLANA BEACH, Calif., Aug. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artelo Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARTL) (“Artelo” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on modulating lipid-signalling pathways to develop treatments for people living with cancer, pain, dermatologic, or neurological conditions, today announced that the Japanese Patent Office has issued a notification of allowance with a Decision to Grant for the Company’s patent application covering the intended commercial formulation of ART27.13, Artelo’s peripherally selective dual cannabinoid agonist currently being evaluated in two Phase 2 clinical trials.
The allowed claims in Japan protect compositions of ART27.13 dispersed in polyethylene glycol. These claims are consistent with those previously allowed in the United States and Europe, and all jurisdictions are expected to provide patent protection through 2041. This brings Artelo’s intellectual property estate for ART27.13 to issued or allowance status in three major pharmaceutical markets, the United States, Japan, and Europe, and further strengthens the program’s global IP position while supporting its long-term commercial potential.
“Receiving this allowance decision in Japan represents another important advancement in our global intellectual property and clinical development strategy for ART27.13,” said Gregory D. Gorgas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Artelo Biosciences. “The innovator of our investigational drug, AstraZeneca, previously conducted a Phase 1 safety study with ART27.13 in Japan, with no major safety or tolerability concerns, and had concluded the plasma exposure and adverse event profiles were comparable between Japanese and Caucasian participants.” ART27.13 was fully licensed to Artelo in 2019.
Currently being evaluated in the Phase 2 portion of CAReS targeting cancer-related anorexia, ART27.13 was well-tolerated in the Phase 1 stage and showed early signs of stabilizing or reversing weight loss in more than 60% of participants. Interim results from the CAReS Phase 2 demonstrated the ability of the drug to reverse cancer-related anorexia in all patients taking the highest dose of 1300 µg whereas the all the participants on placebo continued to lose weight throughout the study.
ART27.13 is also being evaluated in the DREAM study, a pilot Phase 2 in people with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Funded by Glaucoma UK and the HSC R&D Division in the UK, the investigator-led study is evaluating ART27.13's potential at a 600 µg orally administered daily dose to reduce intraocular pressure, alongside additional assessments of visual acuity, body weight, mood, safety and tolerability. Initial results are anticipated in the fourth quarter of this year.
“With allowances now secured in the United States, Europe and Japan for claims covering our intended commercial formulation, we believe we have established a strong foundation for ART27.13 across three of the world’s major pharmaceutical markets. This growing patent estate further enhances the strategic and commercial value of the program as ART27.13 advances in multiple potential indications,” concluded Mr. Gorgas.
About ART27.13
ART27.13 is a dual cannabinoid agonist and novel benzimidazole derivative. Initially developed by AstraZeneca plc, ART27.13 has been in over seven clinical studies with nearly 300 participants. It is primarily being developed as a once-daily, orally administered agent selectively targeting peripheral CB1 and CB2 receptors, with the potential to reduce muscle degeneration while improving body weight, appetite, and quality of life in cancer patients. Importantly, the drug enables systemic metabolic effects while minimizing central nervous system-mediated toxicity. Artelo is conducting a Phase 2 named the Cancer Appetite Recovery Study (CAReS) evaluating ART27.13 as a supportive care therapy for cancer patients suffering from anorexia and weight loss. Interim Phase 2 data revealed patients who had lost at least 5% of body weight to be included in CAReS and titrated to the highest ART27.13 dose (1300 µg) achieved an average +6% weight gain over 12 weeks, while patients on placebo lost an additional ~5%. Currently, there is no FDA approved treatment for cancer anorexia cachexia syndrome. In addition to CAReS, ART27.13 is also being evaluated in a Phase 2 study in people with glaucoma, called the DREAM study. In DREAM, ART27.13 is administered orally at a daily dose of 600 µg.
About Artelo Biosciences
Artelo Biosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of proprietary therapeutics that modulate lipid-signaling pathways, with a diversified pipeline addressing significant unmet needs in anorexia, cancer, anxiety, dermatologic conditions, pain, and inflammation. Led by an experienced executive team collaborating with world-class researchers and technology partners, Artelo applies rigorous scientific, regulatory, and commercial expertise to maximize stakeholder value. More information is available at www.artelobio.com and X: @ArteloBio.
Forward-Looking Statements
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