Cellectar Biosciences has received a patent for CLR 131 by the Japan Patent Office, the company announced recently.

“Certain cancers such as pediatric lymphomas and leukemias have a higher prevalence in Asia and represent unmet need both within and outside the region,” Cellectar Biosciences CEO Jim Caruso said in a statement. “The issuance of this patent enhances our growing intellectual property portfolio in this strategically important market and provides incremental value to CLR 131 and our PLE delivery franchise.”

According to a release, the patent provides composition of matter and use protection for the company’s proprietary phospholipid ether analogs and CLR 131 in leukemia, breast, brain and a variety of other cancers.

Cellectar previously received Japanese patents for CLR 1501 and CLR 1502.

CLR 131 is currently in multiple clinical studies.