TORONTO, Aug. 28, 2018 /CNW/ - Medicenna Therapeutics
Corp. ("Medicenna" or the "Company") (TSX: MDNA; OTCQB: MDNAF), a
clinical stage immuno-oncology company, is pleased to announce that
preclinical data on its IL-2 Superkine, MDNA109, will be presented
at the Sixth Annual Immuno-Oncology Summit being held
from August 27-31, 2018 in Boston, MA.
"We are pleased to present data on MDNA109-Fc, a long acting
version of MDNA109, the only engineered IL-2 Superkine designed to
specifically target CD122 (IL-2Rβ) without CD25 dependency", said
Fahar Merchant, PhD, President and
CEO of Medicenna. "Unlike native IL-2, MDNA109 potently stimulates
effector T cells, reverses Natural Killer (NK) cell anergy and acts
with exceptional synergy when combined with checkpoint inhibitors.
MDNA109 specifically targets CD122 by virtue of a 1000-fold
increase in its affinity for the receptor resulting in much greater
activation of antitumor effector cells relative to
immunosuppressive cells. The impressive ratio of CD8 to Treg
activity of MDNA109 and its variants has the potential to drive
clinical efficacy."
The poster presentation will highlight recent data comparing
efficacy and pharmacokinetics of MDNA109 and MDNA109-Fc in mouse
models. Preliminary data indicates that a biweekly schedule
of subcutaneous administration of MDNA109-Fc retains similar
potency to daily administration of MDNA109 in aggressive murine
models of metastatic melanoma, suggesting a weekly or every
two-week dosing in patients. The ease of sub-Q administration and a
dosing schedule similar to that of checkpoint inhibitors would be
especially beneficial due to the synergism observed when the
therapies are combined.
Details of
the poster presentation are as follows:
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Conference:
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Sixth Annual
Immuno-Oncology Summit
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Date:
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August 28-30,
2018
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Title:
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Preclinical
characterization of IL-2 Superkines engineered with biased CD8+ T
cell
stimulating properties
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Times:
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Tuesday August
28: 10:00-10:55 am Eastern Time
Wednesday August 29: 3:15-4:00 pm Eastern Time
Thursday August 30: 10:00-10:45 am Easter Time
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Location:
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Seaport World Trade
Center, 200 Seaport Boulevard, Boston, MA 02210
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About MDNA109
Developed by scientists at Stanford
University, MDNA109 is an engineered version of IL-2 that
binds up to 1,000 times more effectively to IL-2Rβ (CD122), thus
greatly increasing its ability to activate and proliferate the
immune cells needed to fight cancer. MDNA109 is an IL-2 Superkine
that preferentially drives the expansion and responses of effector
T cells and Natural Killer (NK) cells over Treg cells. It is
the only IL-2 in development with a distinct mechanism by virtue of
its high affinity towards CD122 allowing it to effectively combat
NK cell anergy (exhaustion) which occurs frequently after cancer
immunotherapy.
About Medicenna
Medicenna is a clinical stage immunotherapy company developing
novel highly selective versions of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-13 Superkines
and first in class Empowered Cytokines™ (ECs). Our mission is to
become the leader in the development and commercialization of ECs
and Superkines for the treatment of a broad range of cancers and
immune-mediated diseases. MDNA55 is Medicenna's lead EC currently
enrolling in a multi-centre Phase 2 clinical trial for the
treatment of recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM), the most common and
uniformly fatal form of brain cancer. MDNA55 has secured Orphan
Drug Status from the United States Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) and the European Medicines Agency as well as Fast Track
Designation from the FDA for the treatment of rGBM.
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 that
MDNA109 is the best-in-class IL-2 cytokine, MDNA109's exceptional
affinity to CD122, the potential ease of administration of MDNA109,
the superior safety, efficacy and remarkable versatility of
MDNA109, that it is the only IL-2 candidate in development that
selectively targets CD122, that dosing of MDNA109 will be weekly or
every two weeks in patients and statements related to the future
plans and objectives of the Company, 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 26, 2018 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.
View original
content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/medicenna-to-present-il-2-superkine-results-at-the-sixth-annual-immuno-oncology-summit-300703268.html
SOURCE Medicenna Therapeutics Corp.