IL-2 x Cytokine receptors

AU-007 demonstrates continued distinction in IL-2 class, with unique pro Treg reduction and correlated longer PFS outcomes, coupled with increases in tumor-killing Teffs Phase 2 clinical efficacy and safety data to be presented before end of year LARKSPUR, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aulos Bioscience, an immuno-oncology company working to revolutionize cancer care through development of potentially best-in-class IL-2 therapeutics, today shared data and analyses used to determine dose selection for Phase 2 expansion cohorts in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of its lead candidate, AU-007. The data and evaluations of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, safety and clinical efficacy were presented as a poster at the 36th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics in Barcelona, Spain. The results continue to affirm AU-007’s unique pro interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapeutics, showing regulatory T cell (Treg) reduction, and demonstrating that deeper drops in peripheral Treg counts were associated with longer progression-free survival (PFS) outcomes in patients from the Phase 1 and Phase 2 portions of the AU-007 trial, across a range of dose levels, tumor types and lines of therapy. Additionally, increases in interferon-gamma and effector T cells (Teffs) were observed with escalating subcutaneously administered aldesleukin (recombinant human IL-2) dose levels. “These data point to a correlation between deeper reductions in Tregs and better clinical outcomes, which differentiates AU-007 from all other IL-2 therapeutics in development,” said Aron Knickerbocker, Aulos Bioscience’s president and chief executive officer . “We’re also excited about AU-007’s ability to increase Teffs and natural killer cells. These findings, combined with a mild and tolerable safety profile, further validate our belief in AU-007’s potential as a best-in-class IL-2 therapeutic for solid tumor cancers. We look forward to presenting new Phase 2 clinical efficacy and safety data, particularly in melanoma and renal cell carcinoma, later this year.” Created by Biolojic Design, AU-007 is the first human IgG1 monoclonal antibody designed by leveraging artificial intelligence to enter a human clinical trial. The antibody’s novel mechanism of action is to bind precisely to IL-2 instead of IL-2 receptors. By binding only to the portion of IL-2 that binds to CD25, AU-007 prevents IL-2 from binding to high-affinity IL-2 receptors on Tregs, vasculature and eosinophils, and redirects IL-2 to medium-affinity receptors on Teffs and natural killer (NK) cells. This allows Teffs and NK cells to expand and kill tumor cells. Safety data presented at the EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium demonstrate manageable toxicity for AU-007 and low-dose, subcutaneous aldesleukin, with no vascular leak syndrome or pulmonary edema at all dose levels evaluated. Additionally, the AU-007 pharmacokinetic data show characteristics typical of an IgG1-LALA monoclonal antibody, with no evidence of neutralizing anti-drug antibody (ADA) activity and an approximate half-life of more than 15 days. No clear trends were observed in safety or efficacy data to determine if a single loading dose or multiple loading doses of aldesleukin would lead to better outcomes, and clinical investigation is ongoing in the Phase 2 dose expansion cohorts to determine the optimal dosing schedule. Based on these results, researchers will evaluate dosing regimens of 9 mg/kg for AU-007 every two weeks (Q2W) and 135K IU/kg subcutaneous aldesleukin administered either on a single loading dose schedule or a Q2W multiple dose schedule in the Phase 2 expansion cohorts. The Phase 2 expansion portion of the trial is currently ongoing in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) evaluating these two dosing regimens. The poster, “PB452: Determination of the phase 2 dose of AU-007, an AI-designed human monoclonal antibody that redirects IL-2 to T effector cells,” (Abstract 464) is available to meeting registrants as an electronic poster on the EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium’s online platform . It will be presented live in the poster session “New therapies in immuno oncology” on Friday, October 25, 2024, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. CEST in the Exhibition Hall. The poster presentation is also available on the Aulos Bioscience website in the Abstracts and Publications section. To learn more about the AU-007 clinical trial program, please visit ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT05267626 ). For patients and providers in the U.S., please visit . For patients and health professionals in Australia, please visit . About AU-007 AU-007 is a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody designed by leveraging artificial intelligence that is highly selective to the CD25-binding portion of IL-2. With a mechanism of action unlike any other IL-2 therapeutic in development, AU-007 redirects IL-2 to reinforce anti-tumor immune effects. This is achieved by preventing IL-2, either exogenous or secreted by effector T cells, from binding to trimeric receptors on regulatory T cells while still allowing IL-2 to bind and expand effector T cells and NK cells. This prevents the negative feedback loop caused by other IL-2-based treatments and biases the immune system toward activation over suppression. AU-007 also prevents IL-2 from binding to CD25-containing receptors on eosinophils, as well as vasculature and pulmonary endothelium, which may significantly reduce the vascular leak syndrome and pulmonary edema associated with high-dose IL-2 therapy. About Aulos Aulos Bioscience is an immuno-oncology company working to revolutionize cancer patient care through best-in-class IL-2 therapeutics that direct patients’ immune systems toward killing tumor cells. Matching world-class machine learning from co-founder Biolojic Design with an in-depth understanding of the immune system, Aulos’ initial clinical candidate, AU-007, is a human antibody designed by leveraging artificial intelligence that harnesses the power of IL-2 to induce tumor killing while limiting the immunosuppression and toxicities typically associated with this validated pathway. The company was founded by Biolojic Design and Apple Tree Partners ( ATP ) and is led by pioneers in the field of artificial intelligence, antibody development and cancer immunotherapies. For more information, visit , X ( @AulosBioscience ) and LinkedIn . Contacts Contact: info@aulosbio.com Media inquiries: Mike Beyer, Sam Brown Inc. / 312-961-2502 / mikebeyer@sambrown.com

WALTHAM, Mass and DUBLIN, Oct. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mural Oncology plc (Nasdaq: MURA), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing novel, investigational engineered cytokine therapies designed to address areas of unmet need for patients with a variety of cancers, today announced three upcoming poster presentations at the 39th Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) taking place November 6-10, 2024 in Houston. The company will present tumor microenvironment pharmacodynamic data from the phase 1/2 ARTISTRY-3 study, an evaluation of less frequent dosing of nemvaleukin, Mural’s engineered interleukin-2 (IL-2). Additionally, Mural will share data from its two preclinical research programs in IL-18 and IL-12, including new preclinical efficacy data for IL-18. The details are as follows. Title: Tumor microenvironment pharmacodynamic effect of nemvaleukin less frequent intravenous dosing in multiple solid tumors: results from the phase 1/2 ARTISTRY-3 studyAbstract Number: 217Presentation Date: Friday, Nov. 8 Title: Preclinical efficacy and immune activity of half-life extended IL-18 fusion proteins resistant to IL-18BP suppressionAbstract Number: 1340Presentation Date: Saturday, Nov. 9 Title: Modulation of IL-12p70 exposure and activity following sequential administration of tumor targeted self-assembling split IL-12 subunitsAbstract Number: 1300Presentation Date: Saturday, Nov. 9 About Mural OncologyMural Oncology is leveraging its novel protein engineering platform to develop cytokine-based immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer. By combining our expertise in cytokine biology and immune cell modulation and our protein engineering platform, we are developing medicines to deliver meaningful and clinical benefits to people living with cancer. Our mission is to broaden the potential, and reach, of cytokine-based immunotherapies to improve the lives of patients. Our lead candidate, nemvaleukin, is currently in potentially registrational trials in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and mucosal melanoma reading out in the first half of 2025. Mural Oncology has its registered office in Dublin, Ireland, and its primary facilities in Waltham, Mass. For more information, visit Mural Oncology’s website at www.muraloncology.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X. About NemvaleukinNemvaleukin alfa (nemvaleukin) is a novel, engineered cytokine designed to leverage antitumor effects of the IL-2 pathway while mitigating the hallmark toxicities that limit its use. Nemvaleukin selectively binds to the intermediate-affinity IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) and is sterically occluded from binding to the high-affinity IL-2R. Because of this molecular design, nemvaleukin treatment leads to preferential expansion of antitumor CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells, with minimal expansion of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells. Nemvaleukin is currently being evaluated in two potentially registrational late-stage trials. About Mural Oncology’s IL-18 Program IL-18 is a potent immune-stimulating cytokine, but its efficacy is blunted by IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP), a high affinity decoy receptor that binds to, and neutralizes, IL-18, thereby rendering it ineffective. Native IL-18’s potency is also limited by its short half-life. Mural Oncology’s novel approach to protein engineering is designed to mitigate these issues. First, Mural introduced mutations to IL-18 that eliminate binding to IL-18BP while minimally impacting the native IL-18 structure. Second, it fused IL-18 to protein scaffolds which extend the half-life and increase IL-18’s exposure. Together, these have demonstrated more durable immunological effect in preclinical studies. Mural intends to nominate a development candidate for its IL-18 program by the end of this year and file an IND submission by the end of 2025. About Mural Oncology’s IL-12 ProgramNative IL-12 is a highly potent pro-inflammatory cytokine, but because of its very narrow therapeutic index, it can also be toxic with systemic exposure. To mitigate this hallmark toxicity, Mural, through its novel approach to protein engineering, split the IL-12p70 heterodimer into two inactive monomers: IL12p35 and IL-12p40. These individual subunits are then separately fused to antibody fragments and sequentially injected, which deliver and concentrate IL-12 specifically in the tumor microenvironment to limit systemic exposure. In preclinical studies, Mural’s engineered IL-12 achieved the desired reduction in serum while maintaining tumor concentrations providing the potential to reduce systemic toxicities. Mural intends to nominate a development candidate for its IL-12 program by the end of this year. Forward-Looking StatementsStatements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the company’s pipeline and development programs, including the expected timing of clinical updates from the ARTISTRY-6 and ARTISTRY-7 trials, the expected timing of preclinical updates, candidate nomination, and IND submission, including with respect to the Company’s IL-18 and IL-12 programs, the potential of the company’s product candidates and programs to address unmet medical needs, and the continued progress of its pipeline and programs. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management’s current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include, among others, the inherent risks and uncertainties associated with competitive developments, preclinical development, clinical trials, recruitment of patients, product development activities and regulatory approval requirements; that preclinical or interim results and data from ongoing clinical studies of the company’s cytokine programs and product candidates may not be predictive of future or final results from such studies, results of future clinical studies or real-world results; future clinical trials or future stages of ongoing clinical trials may not be initiated or completed on time or at all; the company’s product candidates, including nemvaleukin, could be shown to be unsafe or ineffective; changes in the cost, scope and duration of development activities; the U.S. Food and Drug Administration may make adverse decisions regarding the company’s product candidates; and those other risks and uncertainties set forth in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2024 and in subsequent filings the company may make with the SEC. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. The company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. However, the company undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date of this press release, except as required by law. Contact:Katie Sullivankatie.sullivan@muraloncology.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