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Encouraging data for CAD-1005 in Phase 2 HIT Study EOP2 scheduled for Q1 for top-priority indication Additional acute and chronic opportunities for 12-LOX inhibition beyond HIT PONTE VEDRA, Fla., March 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CVKD), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapies for life-threatening immune and thrombotic disorders, today provided additional perspectives on development opportunities following its recent pipeline expansion with the addition of 12-LOX inhibitors. As previously announced, Cadrenal recently acquired a portfolio of selective 12-LOX inhibitors, including oral candidates. Encouraging recent data from a blinded, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study of CAD-1005, a parenteral 12-LOX inhibitor, in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) demonstrated a reduction in thrombotic events on a background of standard anticoagulants, with an End-of-Phase 2 (EOP-2) meeting scheduled for later this month. While HIT remains Cadrenal’s near-term regulatory priority with CAD-1005, an ever-growing body of scientific research supports the central role that 12-LOX also plays in inflammatory signaling across multiple high-impact disease areas. Published studies have highlighted its role in atherosclerosis and vascular inflammation, microvascular thrombosis, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and immune-mediated metabolic conditions, including beta-cell stress pathways associated with type 1 diabetes and obesity. Collectively, these therapeutic areas represent multi-billion-dollar potential global markets and opportunities to address novel pathways and potentially improve otherwise poor patient outcomes. Cadrenal’s new 12-LOX inhibitor portfolio is a differentiated platform approach across a range of thrombotic and inflammatory conditions, with both acute and chronic potential applications. “We are very excited to have the only selective 12-LOX inhibitor currently in clinical-stage development and continue to move forward with HIT as our lead indication and regulatory priority,” said Quang X. Pham, Chief Executive Officer of Cadrenal Therapeutics. “We also appreciate that 12-LOX inhibition represents an entirely new – and exciting - therapeutic approach and are optimistic that safely and selectively targeting 12-LOX can have far-reaching therapeutic implications in multiple disease areas.” About 12-LOX Lipoxygenases are a family of enzymes involved in lipid metabolism that stimulate the incorporation of oxygen into polyunsaturated fatty acids. The enzymatic action of 12-LOX ultimately leads to the formation of 12-HETE, a lipid molecule that easily crosses cell membranes. Intracellularly, 12-HETE promotes oxidative stress, while extracellularly, 12-HETE modulates a variety of signaling pathways to regulate inflammatory activity and elicit pro-inflammatory effects. In human blood, 12-LOX is found primarily in platelets and leukocytes; it is also found within the pancreas of diabetics and in certain cancer cells. In HIT, 12-LOX is a critical link in platelet activation via the IgG receptor. Early attempts to develop 12-LOX inhibitors failed because they were not 12-LOX specific. CAD-1005 is the first successful selective 12-LOX inhibitor and the only one to advance to clinical-stage development. About CAD-1005 CAD-1005 is an investigational therapy being evaluated for the treatment of suspected HIT. CAD-1005 is designed to selectively inhibit 12-LOX, a pathway integral to the primary immune mechanisms driving HIT. Unlike existing therapies for HIT, which are only directed at preventing thrombotic complications, this approach addresses the primary underlying cause of HIT. In preclinical models of HIT, CAD-1005 has been shown to prevent or treat HIT and halt the development of both thrombocytopenia and blood clots. The drug has not been associated with increased bleeding in animals or healthy human volunteers. CAD-1005 has received Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) and Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and orphan drug status from the European Medicines Agency. About Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc. Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CVKD) is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing novel therapies for life-threatening immune and thrombotic conditions. Its lead program, CAD-1005, is a first-in-class 12-LOX inhibitor for the treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a deadly immune-mediated thrombotic disorder. CAD-1005 has received Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and orphan drug status from the European Medicines Agency. Second-generation 12-LOX oral therapeutics are also under development for chronic indications. The Company’s broader pipeline includes tecarfarin, a Phase 3-ready oral vitamin K antagonist for patients with end-stage kidney diseases and left ventricular assist devices, and frunexian, a parenteral Factor XIa inhibitor designed for use in acute hospital settings. For more information, visit and connect with the Company on LinkedIn . Safe Harbor Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans, and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements.” The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potentially,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These statements include Cadrenal’s development opportunities following its acquisition of a 12-LOX inhibitor portfolio; the EOP-2 meeting being scheduled with the FDA for later this month; HIT remaining Cadrenal’s near-term regulatory priority with CAD-1005; the therapeutic areas for Cadrenal’s 12-LOX inhibitor portfolio representing multi-billion-dollar potential global markets and opportunities to address novel pathways and potentially improve otherwise poor patient outcomes; and being optimistic that safely and selectively targeting 12-LOX can have far-reaching therapeutic implications in multiple disease areas. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including Cadrenal’s ability to successfully complete clinical trials on time and achieve desired results and benefits as expected; Cadrenal’s ability to obtain regulatory approvals for commercialization of product candidates or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements; Cadrenal’s ability to obtain or maintain the capital or grants necessary to fund its research and development activities; regulatory limitations relating to Cadrenal’s ability to promote or commercialize its product candidates for specific indications; acceptance of Cadrenal’s product candidates in the marketplace and the successful development, marketing or sale of its products; Cadrenal’s ability to maintain its license agreements; Cadrenal’s ability to retain its key employees or maintain its Nasdaq listing and the other risk factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the Company’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including subsequent periodic reports on Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and, except as required by federal securities laws, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. For more information, please contact: Cadrenal Therapeutics: Matthew Szot, CFO press@cadrenal.com Investors: Lytham Partners, LLC Robert Blum, Managing Partner 602-889-9700 CVKD@lythampartners.com

Greater than 25% absolute reduction in thrombotic events with CAD-1005 versus placebo on a background of standard anticoagulant therapy, despite no difference in platelet count recovery End-of-Phase 2 Meeting Scheduled for March 2026 PONTE VEDRA, Fla., Feb. 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CVKD), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing novel therapies for life-threatening immune and thrombotic conditions, today announced encouraging results from a Phase 2 trial evaluating CAD-1005 (formerly VLX-1005) in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a severe pro-thrombotic reaction to heparin, the most commonly used parenteral anticoagulant. This randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of CAD-1005, a selective inhibitor of 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX), a critical immune signaling pathway implicated in HIT, in patients receiving standard anticoagulant therapy. To potentially validate a new surrogate endpoint, the previous investigational new drug sponsor, Veralox Therapeutics, selected platelet count recovery rate as the primary endpoint. Their trial did not meet this primary endpoint. The secondary endpoint was the incidence of new or worsening thrombotic events, including radiologic progression, which showed encouraging results. The study concluded in December 2025 following the transfer of program ownership from Veralox to Cadrenal. Although CAD-1005 did not significantly affect platelet recovery rate, CAD-1005-treated patients had fewer thrombotic events. Highlights: Primary Endpoint: Thrombotic events continued to occur even after platelet count recovery in both groups. Platelet recovery rates were similar between the CAD-1005 and placebo arms. Platelet count recovery did not appear to be a surrogate marker for clinical efficacy. Key Secondary Endpoint: A high rate of thrombotic events (>75%) was observed in the placebo group, with fewer thrombotic events in the CAD-1005 group (50%), although the study was not powered to detect statistical significance. Adding an inhibitor of 12-LOX to standard anticoagulants to block the immunological mechanisms driving HIT may be more effective than anticoagulants alone in preventing thrombotic events. Building on these secondary endpoint results, Cadrenal has been granted an End-of-Phase 2 (EOP2) meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to align on a Phase 3 registration path. The Company considers this meeting a significant milestone in the development of CAD-1005, the only 12-LOX inhibitor in clinical development worldwide. “The encouraging trend toward reduced thrombotic events in the CAD-1005 treatment arm is strong support for the company’s decision to acquire this asset and rapidly progress its development,” said Quang X. Pham, CEO of Cadrenal Therapeutics. “Inhibition of 12-LOX is an exciting therapeutic frontier, potentially targeting numerous inflammatory, thrombotic, and metabolic conditions.” “We learned two very important things from this study, the only blinded placebo-controlled trial ever conducted in HIT,” said James Ferguson, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Cadrenal Therapeutics. “First, platelet count recovery was not an appropriate surrogate endpoint for clinical efficacy in a trial in which standard therapy event rates were strikingly high. Secondly, despite the relatively small number of patients, the reduction in thrombotic events with CAD-1005 is extremely encouraging. CAD-1005 could represent a major step forward as the only first-line therapy targeting the immune mechanisms responsible for HIT.” “Our field (HIT) is full of anticoagulant use in the absence of randomized prospective trials,” said Steven E. McKenzie, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University and a member of the study steering committee. “We are enthusiastic about CAD-1005 in addressing both the underlying immune mechanism and the unmet medical need for this serious thrombotic disorder.” Detailed trial results will be presented at a future scientific meeting. About Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) Heparin is the most widely used in-hospital anticoagulant, with over 12 million patients receiving it in the United States each year. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a potentially life-threatening immune-mediated complication of heparin administration that occurs when antibodies to heparin activate platelets, leading to clots throughout the circulatory system, dramatically lowering platelet counts, and increasing the risk of bleeding. Complications of HIT include deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke, myocardial infarction, amputation, and death, with mortality rates for HIT exceeding 20% in some studies. CAD-1005 is the only treatment in clinical development that targets the underlying immune drivers of HIT. About CAD-1005 CAD-1005 is an investigational therapy being evaluated for the treatment of suspected HIT. CAD-1005 is designed to selectively inhibit 12-LOX, a pathway integral to the primary immune mechanisms driving HIT. Unlike existing therapies for HIT, which are only directed at preventing thrombotic complications, this approach addresses the primary underlying cause of HIT. In preclinical models of HIT, CAD-1005 has been shown to prevent or treat HIT and halt the development of both thrombocytopenia and blood clots. The drug has not been associated with increased bleeding in animals or healthy human volunteers. CAD-1005 has received Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) and Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as orphan drug status from the European Medicines Agency. About the Study The study was originally planned to enroll 60 patients, but was stopped in December 2025 after program ownership transferred to Cadrenal. Analysis of all existing trial data was recently completed. The final dataset includes 24 patients with a presumptive diagnosis of HIT, randomized to receive either CAD-1005 or a matching placebo; all patients received concomitant standard anticoagulant therapy, either argatroban or bivalirudin. The primary endpoint was the rate of platelet count recovery; a key secondary endpoint was the development of new or worsening thrombotic events, the composite of death, stroke, systemic embolism, myocardial infarction, deep venous thrombosis, superficial vein thrombosis, or skin necrosis. Primary analyses focused on 17 patients in whom HIT was confirmed by a central lab functional assay. About Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc. Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CVKD) is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing novel therapies for life-threatening immune and thrombotic conditions. Its lead program, CAD-1005, is a first-in-class 12-LOX inhibitor for the treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a deadly immune-mediated thrombotic disorder. CAD-1005 has received Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as orphan drug status from the European Medicines Agency. Second-generation 12-LOX oral therapeutics are also under development. The Company’s broader pipeline includes tecarfarin, a Phase 3-ready oral vitamin K antagonist for the treatment of patients with end-stage kidney disease and those with left ventricular assist devices, and frunexian, a parenteral, clinical-stage Factor XIa inhibitor designed for use in acute hospital settings. For more information, visit and connect with the Company on LinkedIn . Safe Harbor Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans, and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements.” The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potentially,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These statements include adding an inhibitor of 12-LOX to standard anticoagulants to block the immunological mechanisms driving HIT being more effective than anticoagulants alone in preventing thrombotic events; the encouraging trend toward reduced thrombotic events in the CAD-1005 treatment arm being strong support for the Cadrenal’s decision to acquire this asset and rapidly progress its clinical development; full trial results being presented at a future scientific meeting; the reduction in thrombotic events with CAD-1005 being extremely encouraging, despite the relatively small number of patients; CAD-1005 representing a major step forward as the only first-line therapy targeting the immune mechanisms responsible for HIT; The EOP2 meeting being a significant milestone in the development of CAD-1005; CAD-1005 addressing both the underlying immune mechanism and the unmet medical need for this serious thrombotic disorder; the encouraging trend toward reduced thrombotic events in the CAD-1005 treatment arm being strong support for Cadrenal’s decision to acquire this asset and rapidly progress its development; CAD -1005 addressing the underlying immune drivers of HIT; and presenting detailed trial results at a future scientific meeting. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including Cadrenal’s ability to advance the clinical development of CAD-1005 for the treatment of HIT, including designing a pivotal Phase 3 registration study acceptable to the FDA; CAD-1005 having the ability to address the underlying immune mechanism and the unmet medical need for the serious thrombotic disorder; Cadrenal’s ability to continue to advance novel therapeutics to treat or prevent thrombosis in high-risk patients; Cadrenal’s ability to successfully complete clinical trials on time and achieve desired results and benefits as expected including support for CAD-1005’s potential to be a treatment option for HIT, Cadrenal’s ability to obtain regulatory approvals for commercialization of product candidates or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements and the other risk factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the Company’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including subsequent periodic reports on Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and, except as required by federal securities laws, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. For more information, please contact: Cadrenal Therapeutics: Matthew Szot, CFO press@cadrenal.com Investors: Lytham Partners, LLC Robert Blum, Managing Partner 602-889-9700 CVKD@lythampartners.com