CysLT1

SAINT LAURENT, Quebec, April 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IntelGenx Corp. (TSX:IGX) (OTCQB:IGXT) (the "Company" or "IntelGenx") today announced that Montelukast VersaFilm® has been administered to the first Parkinson’s Disease (“PD”) patients in the Phase 2 (‘MONTPARK’) clinical trial. MONTPARK (EudraCT number 2023-504278-39-00) is a Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel arm, multicentre trial that will investigate the efficacy of oral high-dose Montelukast on the progression of early-to-moderate PD. The study will enroll up to 90 patients who will receive 30 mg Montelukast VersaFilm® or placebo twice daily for 18-months, followed by a 3-month washout period. Eligible candidates must be on levodopa treatment at the time of enrolment and may also be on other dopaminergic symptomatic agents. MONTPARK is being conducted at the Karolinska University Hospital and at three other Swedish University affiliated institutions under IntelGenx’s previously announced research collaboration with Per Svenningsson, MD, PhD, who is serving as the study’s Lead Principal Investigator. “Dosing of the first PD patients in the Phase 2 MONTPARK trial represents a major milestone in the clinical development of Montelukast VersaFilm®, which is also being investigated for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s Disease, or AD, in the ongoing ‘BUENA’ Phase 2a study,” said Dwight Gorham, IntelGenx’s CEO. “As treatment options for neurodegenerative diseases like PD and AD remain limited, with studies such as MONTPARK and BUENA, we are taking significant steps closer to providing patients with a novel, disease-modifying treatment that also offers a dosing method that is especially suited to their needs.” About Parkinson’s Disease PD is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after AD, with an estimated 9 million patients globally and 1 million patients in the United States.1,2 In the United States it is estimated that 90,000 new patients will be diagnosed with PD every year.2 No neuroprotective or disease-modifying treatments are currently available. The current standard treatment of PD motor dysfunction is based on the enhancement of dopaminergic transmission and involves the administration of L-dopa. Evidence from multiple patient studies and animal models has shown a significant immune component during the course of the disease, highlighting immunomodulation as a potential treatment strategy.3 Montelukast is a CysLT1 antagonist which decreases neuroinflammation by inhibiting CysLT1. About Montelukast VersaFilm® Montelukast was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1997 for the treatment of asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis. IntelGenx is working to repurpose Montelukast as a therapeutic to treat neurodegenerative diseases, such as PD and AD, by re-formulating the drug into an oral film-based product. IntelGenx's proprietary VersaFilm® technology is especially suited for special needs patient populations, and the Montelukast VersaFilm® product offers many distinct advantages over tablets for PD and AD patients, including the avoidance and minimization of first-pass-effects, ease of administration, improved API bioavailability, lower dosing and toxicity, better acceptability and improved compliance. In Phase 1 studies, IntelGenx demonstrated that an oral film formulation of Montelukast is safe and tolerable in healthy subjects, reduces the first-pass-effect and has a 52% higher bioavailability compared to the regular Montelukast tablet, demonstrating a clear advantage of delivering Montelukast via film. IntelGenx's oral film also crossed the blood-brain barrier, an essential feature for treating degenerative brain diseases. About IntelGenx IntelGenx is a leading drug delivery company focused on the development and manufacturing of pharmaceutical films. IntelGenx’s superior film technologies, including VersaFilm®, DisinteQ™, VetaFilm® and transdermal VevaDerm™, allow for next generation pharmaceutical products that address unmet medical needs. IntelGenx’s innovative product pipeline offers significant benefits to patients and physicians for many therapeutic conditions. IntelGenx's highly skilled team provides comprehensive pharmaceuticals services to pharmaceutical partners, including R&D, analytical method development, clinical monitoring, IP and regulatory services. IntelGenx's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility offers full service by providing lab-scale to pilot- and commercial-scale production. For more information, visit www.intelgenx.com. References 1 World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/news/item/14-06-2022-launch-of-who-s-parkinson-disease-technical-brief#:~:text=Globally%2C%20the%20prevalence%20of%20Parkinson,million%20individuals%20living%20with%20PD 2 Parkinson’s Foundation: https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/statistics 3 Wallin, J; Svenningsson, P. Potential Effects of Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist Montelukast in Treatment of Neuroinflammation in Parkinson’s Disease. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22, 5606 Forward-Looking Information and Statements This document may contain forward-looking information about IntelGenx's operating results and business prospects that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Statements that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about IntelGenx's plans, objectives, expectations, strategies, intentions or other characterizations of future events or circumstances and are generally identified by the words "may," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "could," "would," and similar expressions. All forward looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Because these forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, IntelGenx's actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in IntelGenx's annual report on Form 10-K, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov, and also filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedarplus.ca. IntelGenx assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Source: IntelGenx Technologies Corp. For IntelGenx: Stephen KilmerInvestor Relations(647) 872-4849stephen@kilmerlucas.com Or Andre Godin, CPA, CAPresident and CFOIntelGenx Corp.(514) 331-7440 ext 203andre@intelgenx.com

LA JOLLA, Calif., March 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MediciNova, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company traded on the NASDAQ Global Market (NASDAQ:MNOV) and the Standard Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Code Number: 4875), today announced that MediciNova’s collaborator, Perenlei Enkhbaatar, MD, PhD, FAHA, Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Director, Translational Intensive Care Unit, Charles Robert Allen Professor in Anesthesiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, presented new data and results of a nonclinical study evaluating MN-166 (ibudilast) in a chlorine gas-induced acute lung injury (CIALI) model at the Society of Toxicology (SOT) 63rd Annual Meeting and ToxExpo in Salt Lake City, Utah. The primary objective of this nonclinical efficacy study was to determine the safety and pharmacological activity of MN-166 (ibudilast) following ALI induced by chlorine (Cl2) gas inhalation in a clinically relevant translational ovine model. In this study, single-dose and multi-dose treatments were evaluated. The primary endpoint was the mean change in the pulmonary function measure PaO2/FiO2, which is the ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to fractional inspired oxygen. Additional endpoints included survival, lung mechanics, lung injury, and edema formation evaluated by chest x-ray. The highlights of the presentation, entitled “Evaluation of safety and pharmacological activity of MN-166 (ibudilast) in a clinically relevant ovine model of chlorine-induced acute lung injury” (Abstract # 4296), are as follows: After a Cl2 gas challenge (210 ppm x 30 min) to induce moderate ALI (mean PaO2/FiO2<200 mmHg), the test subjects were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups: MN-166 (ibudilast) low dose (10 mg) or high dose (20 mg), a positive control (rolipram 1 mg), and vehicle (negative control). Cl2 gas concentration of 210 ppm x 30 min was expected to result in a 20 - 30% mortality rate (Fukuda 2015). Treatment regimens: Single-dose treatment (n=5/group) in which a 30-min IV infusion was given once only, initiated 30 min after completion of the Cl2 challenge Multi-dose treatment (n=3/group) in which 30-min IV infusions were given a total of 4 times, initiated 30 min after the completion of Cl2 gas challenge, then every 12 hours Efficacy Result Single-dose treatment MN-166 (ibudilast) 20 mg and rolipram treatment resulted in greater improvement in mean PaO2/FiO2 and peak airway pressure but dissipated after Hour 12 Multi-dose treatment MN-166 (ibudilast) 20 mg showed greater improvement in mean PaO2/FiO2 ratio (p=0.0001), with animals recovering enough to no longer meet the criteria of ARDS (Berlin ARDS definition 2012) MN-166 (ibudilast) 20 mg also showed greater improvement in peak airway pressure (p<0.05), plateau airway pressure (p<0.05), pulmonary artery pressure (p<0.05), and lung injury score (p<0.05) compared to the other treatment groups MN-166 (ibudilast) 20 mg also maintained cardiac and kidney function compared to the other treatment groups Notably, significance was observed beyond the T=12-hour timepoint, further reinforcing the observed benefit of MN-166 (ibudilast) 20 mg with the multi-dose treatment regimen Survival MN-166 (ibudilast) 20 mg treatment demonstrated a greater survival benefit than the other treatment groups. All animals in the MN-166 (ibudilast) 20 mg group (8 out of 8) survived the 48-hour monitoring period, while 25% (2 out of 8 / arm) animals were euthanized early in other groups upon reaching the euthanasia criteria. Kazuko Matsuda, MD, PhD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer of MediciNova, Inc., commented, "We are very pleased to report the positive results in which MN-166 demonstrated a large and significant improvement in pulmonary function and recovery, i.e., no longer having ARDS, attenuation of lung injury, and a higher survival rate in the ovine CIALI model study. Collectively, positive findings from this clinically relevant ovine model, the previously reported lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ARDS nonclinical model, and significant positive results from a clinical trial in hospitalized COVID-19 patients at risk of developing ARDS, we believe MN-166 (ibudilast) shows promise as a candidate for ALI.” This project has been funded in whole or in part with federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, under contract number 75A50121C00022. About MN-166 (ibudilast) MN-166 (ibudilast) is a small molecule compound that inhibits phosphodiesterase type-4 (PDE4) and inflammatory cytokines, including macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). It is in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), progressive MS (multiple sclerosis), and DCM (degenerative cervical myelopathy); and is also in development for glioblastoma, Long COVID, CIPN (chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy), and substance use disorder. In addition, MN-166 (ibudilast) was evaluated in patients that are at risk for developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). About MediciNova MediciNova, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a broad late-stage pipeline of novel small molecule therapies for inflammatory, fibrotic, and neurodegenerative diseases. Based on two compounds, MN-166 (ibudilast) and MN-001 (tipelukast), with multiple mechanisms of action and strong safety pro MediciNova has 11 programs in clinical development. MediciNova’s lead asset, MN-166 (ibudilast), is currently in Phase 3 for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and is Phase 3-ready for progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). MN-166 (ibudilast) is also being evaluated in Phase 2 trials in Long COVID and substance dependence. MN-001 (tipelukast) was evaluated in a Phase 2 trial in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and a second Phase 2 trial in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is ongoing. MediciNova has a strong track record of securing investigator-sponsored clinical trials funded through government grants. Statements in this press release that are not historical in nature constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future development and efficacy of MN-166, MN-001, MN-221, and MN-029. These forward-looking statements may be preceded by, followed by, or otherwise include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "can," "could," "may," "will," "would," “considering,” “planning” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks of obtaining future partner or grant funding for development of MN-166, MN-001, MN-221, and MN-029 and risks of raising sufficient capital when needed to fund MediciNova's operations and contribution to clinical development, risks and uncertainties inherent in clinical trials, including the potential cost, expected timing and risks associated with clinical trials designed to meet FDA guidance and the viability of further development considering these factors, product development and commercialization risks, the uncertainty of whether the results of clinical trials will be predictive of results in later stages of product development, the risk of delays or failure to obtain or maintain regulatory approval, risks associated with the reliance on third parties to sponsor and fund clinical trials, risks regarding intellectual property rights in product candidates and the ability to defend and enforce such intellectual property rights, the risk of failure of the third parties upon whom MediciNova relies to conduct its clinical trials and manufacture its product candidates to perform as expected, the risk of increased cost and delays due to delays in the commencement, enrollment, completion or analysis of clinical trials or significant issues regarding the adequacy of clinical trial designs or the execution of clinical trials, and the timing of expected filings with the regulatory authorities, MediciNova's collaborations with third parties, the availability of funds to complete product development plans and MediciNova's ability to obtain third party funding for programs and raise sufficient capital when needed, and the other risks and uncertainties described in MediciNova's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and its subsequent periodic reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. MediciNova disclaims any intent or obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements. INVESTOR CONTACT: Geoff O'Brien Vice President MediciNova, Inc. info@medicinova.com

Phase 2 MONTPARK trial expected to begin recruiting patients in Q1 2024SAINT LAURENT, Quebec, Nov. 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IntelGenx Corp. (TSX:IGX) (OTCQB:IGXT) (the "Company" or "IntelGenx") today announced that the Swedish Medical Products Agency (“MPA”), the Swedish Ethical Review Authority, and the Regional Biobank Centre have approved the planned clinical study to investigate the use of IntelGenx’s Montelukast VersaFilm® for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease (“PD”). PD is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease, with an estimated 9 million patients globally and 1 million patients in the United States.1,2 In the United States it is estimated that 90,000 new patients will be diagnosed with PD every year.2 No neuroprotective or disease-modifying treatments are currently available. The current standard treatment of PD motor dysfunction is based on the enhancement of dopaminergic transmission and involves the administration of L-dopa. Evidence from multiple patient studies and animal models has shown a significant immune component during the course of the disease, highlighting immunomodulation as a potential treatment strategy.3 Montelukast is a CysLT1 antagonist which decreases neuroinflammation by inhibiting CysLT1. Early results have indicated its potential usefulness for the treatment of various neurodegenerative disorders like PD and Alzheimer’s Disease. The Phase 2 MONTPARK study (CT number 2023-504278-39-00) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel arm, multicentre trial that will investigate the efficacy of oral high-dose Montelukast on the progression of early-to-moderate PD. The study will enroll up to 90 patients who will receive 30 mg Montelukast VersaFilm® or placebo twice daily for 18-months, followed by a 3-month washout period. Eligible candidates must be on levodopa treatment at the time of enrolment and may also be on other dopaminergic symptomatic agents. The study is expected to begin recruiting in Q1 2024 with an expected study duration of approximately 24-to-30 months, depending on the recruitment rate. The study will be conducted at the Karolinska University Hospital and at 3 other Swedish University affiliated institutions under IntelGenx’s previously announced research collaboration with Per Svenningsson, MD, PhD, who will serve as the Study’s Principal Investigator. Prof. Svenningsson will sponsor the study through a 20 million Swedish Crowns grant (approx. $2 million USD) awarded by the Swedish Research Council, Sweden’s largest governmental research funding body. “We are delighted that this trial has been approved by the MPA and look forward to beginning patient recruitment as soon as possible,” said Dwight Gorham, IntelGenx’s CEO. “We are excited to be collaborating with Prof. Svenningsson, a PD pathogenesis expert who previously demonstrated the safety and tolerability of 40 mg Montelukast in PD patients. MONTPARK will be evaluating daily Montelukast doses of 60 mg per day, making Montelukast VersaFilm® a more attractive dosing method due to its increased bioavailability (approx. 50% improvement over tablets) and minimizing the need on a daily basis for the requirement of numerous 10 mg Montelukast tablets.” Prof. Svenningsson stated, “Our study teams are quite eager and ready to commence the study with the novel IntelGenx Montelukast VersaFilm® due to the beneficial features of the film in terms of ease of use, better compliance and bioavailability”. References 1 World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/news/item/14-06-2022-launch-of-who-s-parkinson-disease-technical-brief#:~:text=Globally%2C%20the%20prevalence%20of%20Parkinson,million%20individuals%20living%20with%20PD 2 Parkinson’s Foundation: https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/statistics 3 Wallin, J; Svenningsson, P. Potential Effects of Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist Montelukast in Treatment of Neuroinflammation in Parkinson’s Disease. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22, 5606 About IntelGenx IntelGenx is a leading drug delivery company focused on the development and manufacturing of pharmaceutical films. IntelGenx’s superior film technologies, including VersaFilm®, DisinteQ™, VetaFilm® and transdermal VevaDerm™, allow for next generation pharmaceutical products that address unmet medical needs. IntelGenx’s innovative product pipeline offers significant benefits to patients and physicians for many therapeutic conditions. IntelGenx's highly skilled team provides comprehensive pharmaceuticals services to pharmaceutical partners, including R&D, analytical method development, clinical monitoring, IP and regulatory services. IntelGenx's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility offers full service by providing lab-scale to pilot- and commercial-scale production. For more information, visit www.intelgenx.com. Forward-Looking Information and Statements This document may contain forward-looking information about IntelGenx's operating results and business prospects that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Statements that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about IntelGenx's plans, objectives, expectations, strategies, intentions or other characterizations of future events or circumstances and are generally identified by the words "may," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "could," "would," and similar expressions. All forward looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Because these forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, IntelGenx's actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in IntelGenx's annual report on Form 10-K, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov, and also filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedarplus.ca. IntelGenx assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Source: IntelGenx Technologies Corp. For IntelGenx: Stephen KilmerInvestor Relations(647) 872-4849stephen@kilmerlucas.com Or Andre Godin, CPA, CAPresident and CFOIntelGenx Corp.(514) 331-7440 ext 203andre@intelgenx.com