The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has awarded Cellectar Biosciences a patent (No. P150207US03) that covers a method of use for CLR 131 in multiple myeloma, the company announced today.

“The issuance of this patent and its associated claims expands the protection for CLR 131 in our most advanced indication, multiple myeloma,” Cellectar Biosciences CEO Jim Caruso said in a statement. “We hope to demonstrate that CLR 131’s unique mechanism of action could enable extended survival among patients in this population, even those in later lines of treatment.”

According to a release, Cellectar and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) are joint owners of the patent, with Cellectar having licensed exclusive rights.

Cellectar received a notice of allowance for the patent in February.