TORONTO and HOUSTON, TX,
Oct. 24, 2017 /CNW/ - Medicenna
Therapeutics Corp. ("Medicenna" or the "Company") (TSX: MDNA;
OTCQX: MDNAF), a clinical stage immuno-oncology company, developing
first-in-class proprietary cytokines, today announced that the
United States Patent and Trademark Office issued another patent
related to the Company's Superkine platform. U.S. Patent 9,738,696
("Superkines and synthekines: repurposed cytokines with new and
enhanced signaling activities") issued to the Board of Trustees of
the Leland Stanford Junior University and licensed exclusively to
Medicenna, covers the composition of engineered interleukin-4
("IL-4") Superkines.
"The issuance of the IL-4 patent, along with issued patents
covering our IL-2 and IL-13 Superkines, solidifies our leadership
position in developing a series of unique and versatile
interleukins that represent key pillars of our next generation
platform of immunotherapies," said Dr. Fahar Merchant, Chairman, President and CEO of
Medicenna Therapeutics. "We remain focused on maximizing the value
of our leading-edge Superkine platform through advancing these
novel super-agonists and super-antagonists into clinical
development on our own and with potential partners."
Medicenna continues to protect its Superkine and Empowered
Cytokine platforms which comprises of over 40 filed or issued
patents in key territories including the US, Canada, EU and Asia.
Superkines have exceptionally high selectivity and affinity for
receptor sub-types, resulting in superior safety and efficacy.
Proof of concept results published in leading scientific journals
have demonstrated the significant potential of these Superkine
agonists and antagonists to address unmet needs in oncology,
inflammatory and other immune mediated diseases.
About Medicenna Therapeutics Corp.
Medicenna is a
clinical stage immuno-oncology company developing novel highly
selective versions of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-13 Superkines™ and first in
class Empowered Cytokines™ (ECs). Its wholly owned
subsidiary, Houston-based Medicenna BioPharma, is specifically
targeting the Interleukin-4 Receptor (IL4R), which is
over-expressed by at least 20 different types of cancer affecting
more than one million new cancer patients every year. Medicenna's
lead IL4-EC, MDNA55 is enrolling patients in a CPRIT (Cancer
Prevention and Research Institute of Texas) funded Phase 2b clinical trial for
recurrent glioblastoma ("rGBM") at leading brain cancer centres in
the US. MDNA55 has completed 3 clinical trials in 72 patients,
including 66 adults with rGBM, demonstrated compelling efficacy and
obtained Fast-Track and Orphan Drug status from USFDA. Unlike most
other cancer therapies, Medicenna's IL4-ECs have the potential to
purge both the tumor and the immunosuppressive tumor
microenvironment, offering a unique treatment paradigm for a large
majority of cancer patients.
For more information, please visit www.medicenna.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements
relating to the future operations of the Company and other
statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking
statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may",
"should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All
statements other than statements of historical fact, included in
this release, including, without limitation, statements related to
our leadership position in developing a series of unique and
versatile interleukins, that we will maximize the value of the
Superkine platform, statements regarding future plans and
objectives of the Company and others are forward-looking statements
that involve 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 annual information form of the Company dated
June 15, 2017 and in other filings
made by the Company with the applicable securities regulators from
time to time.
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 at the time of preparation, 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 of this news release and the Company will update or
revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements only
as expressly required by Canadian securities law.
SOURCE Medicenna Therapeutics Corp.