albumin

NM32 is a first-in-class half-life-enhanced T-cell engager targeting ROR1, a tumor associated antigen with broad expression in solid tumors and hematological malignancies Low molecular weight of NM32 allows to efficiently achieve higher tumor concentrations than larger immunoglobulin G molecules, the current standard format for CD3 engagers HORGEN, Switzerland, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Numab Therapeutics AG (“Numab”) announced today the start of a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating NM32, a next generation tri-specific immuno-oncology therapeutic targeting the receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) and the T-cell receptor associated antigen CD3. The third binding moiety of NM32 targets serum albumin to provide half-life extension allowing for convenient bi-weekly dosing and to keep the lower molecular weight than immunoglobulin enabling efficient tumor penetration. “Generated from our proprietary Lambda-capTM and MATCHTM technology platform, NM32 represents a T-cell engager designed to help the patient’s immune system recognize and attack tumor cells. ROR1 is overexpressed on a wide spectrum of highly prevalent solid tumor indications but has very limited expression on normal tissue, making it an optimal antigen for a CD3 engager,” said David Urech, Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Numab Therapeutics. “We are pleased to start NM32’s clinical development path enabling us to potentially bring this novel therapy to patients with advanced solid tumors who are in need of treatment options that provide durable anti-tumor activity with a tolerable safety profile. Enrollment is progressing nicely, with patients completing the first treatment cycle of the initial dose level”, commented Martin Stern, Senior Vice President Clinical Science at Numab Therapeutics. “Despite the introduction of checkpoint inhibitors and several commercially available CD3 engagers for the treatment of hematological malignancies, there has been limited success in solid tumors mainly due to the lack of highly tumor-specific antigens allowing selective T-cell activation against tumor cells.” This multi-center Phase 1 study of NM32 is a dose-escalation trial to characterize the pharmacokinetic properties, pharmacodynamic effects and safety profile of NM32 and to select an optimal dosing regimen for further clinical development. It is planned to enroll up to 60 patients with solid tumors overexpressing ROR1 from major clinical sites across the United States. Generated preclinical data in non-human primates indicate a high potency and an excellent safety profile. About NM32 (NM32-2668)NM32 is a next generation tri-specific immuno-oncology drug targeting the receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) and the T-cell receptor associated antigen CD3. The third domain targets serum albumin to provide half-life extension to allow convenient bi-weekly dosing. T-cell redirection using CD3 engagers is an established treatment modality showing high response rates and durable activity in hematological malignancies and has more recently also shown promising results for selected targets overexpressed in solid tumors. ROR1 is a clinically validated tumor associated antigen with overexpression in several indications with high unmet need including lung, breast, ovarian, endometrial, renal and gastric cancer and limited expression on healthy tissue. About Numab Therapeutics AGNumab Therapeutics AG is developing multi-specific antibody-based immunotherapies for inflammation and cancer. Reproducible plug-and-play therapeutic design process using proprietary platforms λ-CapTM and MATCHTM puts Numab in a unique position to overcome historical drug discovery barriers and build a pipeline of new and important medicines aimed to maximize patient benefits. Numab’s diverse research pipeline spans multiple therapeutic areas and creates the opportunity for the next generation of first-in-class and best-in-class medicines. Our lead candidate NM26, a unique multi-specific targeting IL-4/13 and IL-31 for best-in-class efficacy, is developed with a vision of delivering a lifelong cure to patients suffering from atopic dermatitis and other potential indications. Multiple partnerships with leading pharma companies validate the platform and development capabilities. For further information, visit https://www.numab.com. For further details, please contact: Numab TherapeuticsDavid UrechChief Executive Officerd.urech@numab.com Investor Contact: Patrick Till Meru Advisorsptill@meruadvisors.com

Updated clinical results to be presented from the ongoing Phase 1/2 ABILITY-1 study of MDNA11 in advanced or metastatic solid tumors Preclinical data on MDNA113, Medicenna's first-in-class, masked, tumor-targeted bifunctional anti-PD1-IL-2 Superkine, and on its IL-2 agonists in glioblastoma, will also be presented TORONTO and HOUSTON, Oct. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medicenna Therapeutics Corp. (“Medicenna” or the “Company”) (TSX: MDNA, OTCQB: MDNAF), a clinical-stage immunotherapy company focused on the development of Superkines, announced today that it will present three posters at the 39th Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (“SITC”), taking place from November 6 – 10, 2024 in Houston, Texas. The Company will present updated clinical data from the ongoing Phase 1/2 ABILITY-1 Study evaluating MDNA11, a long-acting ‘beta-enhanced not-alpha’ interleukin-2 (“IL-2”) super-agonist, as both a monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®) in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors. In addition, new pre-clinical data on the Company’s MDNA113, a novel first-in-class, masked, tumor-targeted bifunctional anti-PD1-IL-2 Superkine, and on Medicenna’s IL-2 agonists in glioblastoma, will also be presented at the conference. Details for the poster presentations are as follows: Title: Results from ABILITY-1 monotherapy dose escalation and ongoing monotherapyexpansion with MDNA11, a long-acting ‘beta-enhanced not-alpha’ IL-2 Superkine, in patientswith advanced solid tumorsAbstract Number: 684Presentation Date: Saturday, November 9, 2024 Title: MDNA113 is a conditionally activatable anti-PD1-IL-2SK with a removable IL-13 dual masking/tumor-targeting domain to limit systemic immune stimulation while maximizing anti-tumor responseAbstract Number: 961Session Date: Friday, November 8, 2024 Title: Stimulation of IL-2 signaling with highly selective IL-2R agonists enhances immuneeffector cell response in mouse and patient-derived glioblastomasAbstract Number: 963Session Date: Friday, November 8, 2024 The full text of the abstracts will be available on the SITC 2024 website. Following the conclusion of the SITC 2024 Meeting, a copy of the posters will be available on the “Scientific Presentations” page of Medicenna’s website. About MDNA11 MDNA11 is an intravenously administered, long-acting ‘beta-enhanced not-alpha’ IL-2 Superkine specifically engineered to overcome the shortcomings of aldesleukin and other next generation IL-2 variants by preferentially activating immune effector cells (CD8+ T and NK cells) responsible for killing cancer cells, with minimal or no stimulation of immunosuppressive Tregs. These unique proprietary features of the IL-2 Superkine have been achieved by incorporating seven specific mutations and genetically fusing it to a recombinant human albumin scaffold to improve the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile and pharmacological activity of MDNA11 due to albumin’s natural propensity to accumulate in highly vascularized sites, in particular tumor and tumor draining lymph nodes. MDNA11 is currently being evaluated in the Phase 1/2 ABILITY-1 study as both a monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®). About the ABILITY-1 Study The ABILITY-1 study (NCT05086692) is a global, multi-center, open-label study that assesses the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and anti-tumor activity of MDNA11 as monotherapy or in combination with pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®). In the combination dose escalation of the Phase 2 study, approximately 6-12 patients are expected to be enrolled and administered ascending doses of MDNA11 intravenously once every two weeks in combination with pembrolizumab. This portion of the study includes patients with a wide range of solid tumors with the potential for susceptibility to immune modulating therapeutics. Upon identification of an appropriate dose regimen for combination, the study will proceed to a combination dose expansion cohort. About MDNA113 MDNA113 is a novel, first-in-class tumor-targeted and tumor-activated bi-functional anti-PD1-IL2 Superkine with exceptionally high affinity for IL-13Rα2 without binding to the functional IL-13R⍺1. IL-13Rα2 is overexpressed in a wide range of solid tumors, including cold tumors with minimal to no expression in normal tissues. IL-13Rα2 expressing tumors also have abundant matrix metalloprotease in the tumor microenvironment that may efficiently activate MDNA113. IL-13Rα2 expression is associated with poor clinical outcome in multiple tumor types including prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer and brain cancer, with an annual world-wide incidence of over 2 million. About Medicenna Therapeutics Medicenna is a clinical-stage immunotherapy company focused on developing novel, highly selective versions of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-13 Superkines and first-in-class Empowered Superkines. Medicenna’s long-acting IL-2 Superkine, MDNA11, is a next-generation IL-2 with superior affinity toward CD122 (IL-2 receptor beta) and no CD25 (IL-2 receptor alpha) binding, thereby preferentially stimulating cancer-killing effector T cells and NK cells. Medicenna’s IL-4 Empowered Superkine, bizaxofusp (formerly MDNA55), has been studied in 5 clinical trials enrolling over 130 patients, including a Phase 2b trial for recurrent GBM, the most common and uniformly fatal form of brain cancer. Bizaxofusp has obtained FastTrack and Orphan Drug status from the FDA and FDA/EMA, respectively. Medicenna’s early-stage high-affinity IL-2β biased IL-2/IL-15 Super-antagonists, from its MDNA209 platform, are being evaluated as potential therapies for autoimmune and graft-versus host diseases. Medicenna’s early-stage BiSKITs™ (Bifunctional SuperKine ImmunoTherapies) and the T-MASK™ (Targeted Metalloprotease Activated SuperKine) programs are designed to enhance the ability of Superkines to treat immunologically “cold” tumors. For more information, please visit www.medicenna.com, and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. KEYTRUDA® is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, express or implied statements regarding the future operations of the Company, estimates, plans, strategic ambitions, partnership activities and opportunities, objectives, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance, outlook or other statements that are not historical facts, such as statements on the therapeutic potential and safety profile of MDNA11 and MDNA113. Drug development and commercialization involve a high degree of risk, and only a small number of research and development programs result in commercialization of a product. Results in early-stage pre-clinical or clinical studies may not be indicative of full results or results from later stage or larger scale clinical studies and do not ensure regulatory approval. You should not place undue reliance on these statements, or the scientific data presented. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “will”, “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “believe”, “seek”, “potentially” and similar expressions. and are subject to risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include the risks detailed in the latest annual information form of the Company and in other filings made by the Company with the applicable securities regulators from time to time in Canada. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and except as required by law, we do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements. This news release contains hyperlinks to information that is not deemed to be incorporated by reference in this new release. Investor/Media Contact: Christina CameronInvestor Relations, Medicenna Therapeutics(647) 953-0673ir@medicenna.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Onco360®, the nation’s leading independent Specialty Pharmacy, has been selected as a pharmacy partner by Beigene for Tevimbra® (tislelizumab), approved for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior systemic chemotherapy that did not include a PD-(L)1 inhibitor. This indication was approved based on the Phase III RATIONALE-302, (NCT03430843) clinical trial, which compared Tislelizumab to systemic chemotherapy.1 Tevimbra® (tislelizumab) is a PD-1 inhibitor that binds to PD-1 and blocks its interaction with PD-L1 and PD-L2, releasing the PD-1 pathway mediated inhibition of the immune response, including the anti-tumor immune response. Esophageal cancer (EC) is the sixth most common cause of cancer-related deaths. ESCC is the most common histologic subtype of EC, accounting for nearly 90% of ECs. Esophageal cancer is a rapidly fatal disease. Over two-thirds of patients have advanced or metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis, with an expected five-year survival rate of less than 6% for those with distant metastases.2 “Onco360 is grateful for the opportunity to expand our partnership with the team at BeiGene and become the exclusive national specialty pharmacy provider for Tevimbra®,” said Benito Fernandez. “The FDA approval of Tevimbra represents a new treatment option for patients suffering from unresectable or metastatic esophageal cancer, and as a chosen provider, we remain committed to providing patients, their caregivers, and providers with the highest level of quality and service.” The FDA approval of Tevimbra® is based on the results of the Phase III RATIONALE-2 clinical trial, which evaluated 512 adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal (ESCC), randomized 1:1 to receive Tevimbra® 200mg IV every 3 weeks or investigator’s choice IV systemic chemotherapy (paclitaxel, docetaxel, or irinotecan). All patients had received at least one prior anti-cancer systemic therapy. RATIONALE-302 demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in overall survival (OS) for patients randomized to Tevimbra® as compared with systemic chemotherapy. The most common (≥ 20%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, were increased glucose (46%), decreased hemoglobin (45%), decreased lymphocytes (43%), decreased sodium (34%), decreased albumin (33%), increased alkaline phosphatase (32%), anemia (31%), fatigue (28%), increased AST (27%), musculoskeletal pain (24%), decreased weight (23%), increased ALT (23%), and cough (22%). Please see the full Prescribing Information for Tevimbra® About Onco360 Oncology Pharmacy:Onco360 is the nation’s largest independent Oncology Pharmacy and clinical support services company. Onco360 was founded in 2003 to bring together the stakeholders involved in the cancer treatment process and serve the specialized needs of oncologists, patients, hospitals, cancer centers of excellence, manufacturers, health plans, and payers. It dispenses nationally through its network of URAC-, and ACHC-accredited Specialty Pharmacies. Onco360 is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, and is a flagship specialty pharmacy brand of PharMerica Corporation, a leading institutional pharmacy, specialty infusion, and hospital services company servicing healthcare facilities in the United States. For more information about Onco360, please visit Onco360.com. Media Contact: Benito Fernandez, Chief Commercial OfficerBenito.Fernandez@Onco360.com516-640-1332 References: Lin Shen et al., RATIONALE 302: Randomized, phase 3 study of tislelizumab versus chemotherapy as second-line treatment for advanced unresectable/metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. JCO 39, 4012-4012(2021). National Cancer Institute. Cancer stat facts: esophageal cancer. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/esoph.html.