Updated MDNA11 Monotherapy and Combination Clinical Data from the Ongoing Phase 1/2 ABILITY-1 Study to be Presented at the 2024 Immunotherapy Bridge Conference
TORONTO and HOUSTON, Nov. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medicenna Therapeutics Corp. (“Medicenna” or the “Company”) (TSX: MDNA, OTCQX: MDNAF), a clinical-stage immunotherapy company focused on the development of Superkines, announced today that updated clinical data from the ongoing Phase 1/2 ABILITY-1 study will be presented as part of an oral podium presentation at the 2024 Immunotherapy Bridge Conference, taking place from December 4-5, 2024 in Naples, Italy.
The oral presentation will include updated clinical data from the monotherapy and combination arms of the ongoing Phase 1/2 ABILITY-1 Study evaluating MDNA11, a long-acting ‘beta-enhanced not-alpha’ interleukin-2 (“IL-2”) super-agonist, in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors.
Presentation Details:
Title: Updated Safety and Efficacy Results from the First-in-Human Study of MDNA11 (ABILITY-1), a Next Generation ‘Beta-Enhanced Not-Alpha’ IL-2 Superkine, Show Single-Agent Activity in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors Presentation Date: Thursday, December 5, 2024 8:45 AM CET (2:30 AM EST) Presenter: Dr. Arash Yavari, MBBS, DPhil; Director of Clinical Strategy
Following the presentation, a copy of the presentation 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 monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab.
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. In the combination dose escalation portion of the Phase 2 study, approximately 20 patients are expected to be enrolled and administered ascending doses of MDNA11 intravenously 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 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. MDNA11 is being evaluated in the Phase 1/2 ABILITY-1 Study (NCT05086692) as a monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab. 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.
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 (both as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab), and the timing and/or release of any additional clinical updates. 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.
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Investor and Company Contact:
Christina Cameron Investor Relations, Medicenna Therapeutics ir@medicenna.com (647) 953-0673
Daniel Scarr Investor Relations & Business Development, Medicenna Therapeutics dscarr@medicenna.com (647) 220-4509
