MDNA Medicenna Therapeutics Corp

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.

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.

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SOURCE Medicenna Therapeutics Corp.