SORT1

Study to assess new camptothecin-peptide conjugates for the treatment of sortilin-positive colorectal cancers Separate data to highlight activity of sudocetaxel zendusortide (TH1902) to trigger the cGAS/STING pathway potentiate and anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy tumor cell killing MONTREAL, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Theratechnologies Inc. (“Theratechnologies” or the “Company”) (TSX: TH) (NASDAQ: THTX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies, today announced two posters will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2024, demonstrating the potential of its SORT1+ Technology™ platform – including novel camptothecin-peptide conjugates and its lead investigational peptide drug conjugate (PDC) candidate, sudocetaxel zendusortide (TH1902), as anticancer treatments. The AACR meeting is taking place April 5-10 in San Diego, CA. These preclinical presentations reinforce existing data for sudocetaxel zendusortide to activate anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy tumor cell killing in SORT+1 cancers and provide the first evidence for novel camptothecin-peptide conjugates in the treatment of SORT+1 colorectal cancers. “The studies we are presenting at the AACR 2024 meeting highlight the significant advancements made on our SORT+1 Technology™ platform through careful assessment of investigational compounds, including sudocetaxel zendusortide, which is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 trial in patients with advanced ovarian cancer,” said Christian Marsolais, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Theratechnologies. “These data showcase the potential of our PDC candidates with different payloads as potential future treatment options for a broad range of cancer types.” Theratechnologies will present the following data at AACR 2024: Monday April 8, 2024: 9:00am-12:30pm Pacific Time (PT) Title: Pre-clinical evidence for new camptothecin-peptide conjugates in the treatment of sortilin-positive colorectal cancers Presenting Author: Sanjoy Kumar Das, Ph.D., TheratechnologiesSession Category: Experimental and Molecular TherapeuticsSession Title: New TechnologiesLocation: Poster Section 28Poster Board Number: 28Abstract Presentation Number: 2071 Monday April 8, 2024: 1:30pm- 5:00pm Pacific Time (PT) Title: Sudocetaxel Zendusortide (TH1902) triggers the cGAS/STING pathway and potentiates anti-PD-L1 immune-mediated tumor cell killing Presenting Author: Michel Demeule, Ph.D., TheratechnologiesSession Category: Clinical Research Excluding TrialsSession Title: Combination ImmunotherapiesLocation: Poster Section 43Poster Board Number: 3Abstract Presentation Number: 3717 About Sudocetaxel Zendusortide (TH1902) and SORT1+ Technology™ Sudocetaxel zendusortide is a first-of-its-kind sortilin receptor (SORT1)-targeting PDC, and the first compound to emerge from the Company’s broader licensed oncology platform. A new chemical entity, sudocetaxel zendusortide employs a cleavable linker to conjugate (attach) a proprietary peptide to docetaxel, a well-established cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agent used to treat many cancers. The FDA granted Fast Track designation to sudocetaxel zendusortide as a single agent for the treatment of all sortilin-positive recurrent advanced solid tumors that are refractory to standard therapy. Sudocetaxel zendusortide is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial. Theratechnologies has established the SORT1+ TechnologyTM platform as an engine for the development of PDCs that target SORT1, which is expressed in multiple tumor types. SORT1 is a “scavenger” receptor that plays a significant role in protein internalization, sorting, and trafficking. Expression of SORT1 is associated with aggressive disease, poor prognosis, and decreased survival. It is estimated that SORT1 is expressed in 40% to 90% of endometrial, ovarian, colorectal, triple-negative breast (TNBC), and pancreatic cancers, making this receptor an attractive target for anticancer drug development. About Theratechnologies Theratechnologies (TSX: TH) (NASDAQ: THTX) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies addressing unmet medical needs. Further information about Theratechnologies is available on the Company's website at www.theratech.com, on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Follow Theratechnologies on Linkedin and X (formerly Twitter). Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, the “Forward-Looking Statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws, that are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to it. You can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “promising”, “would”, “outlook”, “believe”, “plan”, “envisage”, “anticipate”, “expect” and “estimate”, or the negatives of these terms, or variations of them. The Forward-Looking Statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the development of multiple PDCs, including sudocetaxel zendusortide, their use and the potential benefits to be derived from their use. Although the Forward-Looking Statements contained in this press release are based upon what the Company believes are reasonable assumptions in light of the information currently available, investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on these statements since actual results may vary from the Forward-Looking Statements contained in this press release. These assumptions include, without limitation, that the Company’s Phase 1 clinical trial using sudocetaxel zendusortide will be successful, that signs of efficacy will be observed in such Phase 1 clinical trial and no untoward side effects will be reported, and that the findings observed from the preclinical work conducted on new PDCs will be replicated into human subjects. Forward-Looking Statements assumptions are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such Forward-Looking Statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the lack of observation of strong efficacy results from the Phase 1 clinical trial using sudocetaxel zendusortide, the reporting of adverse side effects from the use of sudocetaxel zendusortide leading to a halt of the clinical trial, and that the findings observed from preclinical work conducted on new PDCs are not observed when those are administered into human subjects. We refer current and potential investors to the “Risk Factors” section (Item 3.D) of our Form 20-F dated February 21, 2024, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov under Theratechnologies’ public filings. The reader is cautioned to consider these and other risks and uncertainties carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-Looking Statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and speak only as of the date of this press release and represent our expectations as of that date. We undertake no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law. Contacts: Media inquiries:Julie SchneidermanSenior Director, Communications & Corporate Affairscommunications@theratech.com 1-514-336-7800 Investor Inquiries:Philippe DubucSenior Vice President and Chief Financial Officerpdubuc@theratech.com 438-315-6608

While it's not clear how many jobs will be lost in the phase out, the move will reportedly cost the company about $625,000 in cash for severance payouts. Theratechnologies is winding down its preclinical oncology research program in an effort to turn a profit and focus on its commercial business. The biotech will use what it has learned from the cancer work conducted so far to find an outside R&D collaborator. The company's investment in a platform to treat multiple types of cancer by targeting the SORT1+ receptor “has generated important evidence on multiple peptide-drug conjugates with different payloads,” CEO Paul Lévesque said in a March 22 release. “Now that we have significantly advanced our preclinical program, we are well-positioned to leverage this wealth of data and insights to attract an oncology R&D partner.”  The move will cost the company about $625,000 in severance payouts and other expenses as well as $770,000 in non-cash charges. Six jobs will be cut as a result of the changes, but given that they'll happen over the coming months, no one will be impacted immediately, a spokesperson for Theratechnologies told Fierce Biotech.  The decision does not affect clinical progress for Theratechnologies’ lead oncology asset, a peptide-drug conjugate called sudocetaxel zendusortide. That therapy is currently being tested in a phase 1 trial for advanced ovarian cancer after overcoming an FDA hold over safety concerns.  Moving forward, Theratechnologies will continue to share findings generated prior to the preclinical wind down. The company plans to present two posters at the upcoming American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting in early April, including one with data on new peptide-drug conjugates.  Theratechnologies has two FDA-approved drugs on the market, both for HIV: An antiretroviral called Trogarzo for patients infected with HIV-1; and a growth hormone-releasing factor called Egrifta, which reduces the build-up of excess visceral abdominal fat that sometimes results from the condition. The company is also exploring the active ingredient of Egrifta, tesamorelin, as a potential treatment for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. Editor's note: This article was updated March 25 with new details on impacted jobs from Theratechnologies.

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 25, 2024 / ProteinQure, the leading startup in the computational design of peptide drugs, announces a significant breakthrough in the fight against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The novel Peptide Drug Conjugate (PDC) designed by ProteinQure demonstrated exceptional efficacy in a comprehensive suite of Patient-Derived Xenograft (PDX) models. The experiments were conducted in the lab of Dr. David Cescon at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre/University Health Network, one of the world's top five cancer research centres. Developed through ProteinQure's cutting-edge computational platform, the innovative SORT1 targeting PDC is a novel peptide attached to a highly potent chemotherapeutic agent. The drug candidate was tested across a broad range of breast cancer models. The results demonstrated remarkable antitumor efficacy, including cancers resistant to standard chemotherapies and antibody-drug conjugates. "Working with the David Cescon Lab at UHN has been instrumental in validating our novel PDC's efficacy against one of the most challenging forms of breast cancer. Based on these results, we are moving our lead program forward into IND-Enabling studies and our first clinical trial," said Lucas Siow, CEO of ProteinQure. "These findings not only highlight the power of our computational drug design platform but also represent significant validation in our quest to develop tissue-specific peptides for targeted drug delivery." ProteinQure's collaborators will present the data at the upcoming American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) conference in San Diego. The AACR conference, renowned for showcasing the latest innovations in cancer research, provides the perfect stage to share these findings with the global cancer research community. "We are excited to present this data at AACR and help develop new therapeutic options for breast cancer, especially with promising Canadian startups," stated Dr. David Cescon, head of the lab at UHN. "The success of this unique PDC in diverse PDX models is a testament to the potential of combining advanced computational techniques, precision oncology, and our labs' robust preclinical platform". Funding for parts of this work included contributions from IRAP-Canada and the INOVAIT program based out of Sunnybrook Hospital. Poster Presentation Details: Title: In-vivo efficacy of a novel peptide-conjugated drug in patient-derived xenograft models of breast cancer Session Title: New Targets Date and Time: Tuesday, April 9, at 1:30 p.m. PT/4:30 p.m. ET Abstract Number: 5911 Speaker: Mitchell Elliott, UHN Princess Margaret Cancer Centre About ProteinQure ProteinQure is a pioneering startup specializing in the computational design of peptide drugs utilizing state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and molecular simulation technologies. With a focus on precision medicine, ProteinQure is dedicated to transforming the landscape of drug development and ushering in a new era of targeted effective treatments. About the David Cescon Lab at UHN The David Cescon Lab at the University Health Network is a leader in breast cancer research, focusing on the mechanisms of cancer progression and resistance to therapy. Through cutting-edge pre-clinical and clinical research and collaborations, the lab develops novel therapeutic strategies aimed at improving outcomes for cancer patients worldwide. Lucas Siow - CEO of ProteinQure - press@proteinqure.com SOURCE: ProteinQure Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com