Medicenna Announces Clinical Collaboration with Merck to Evaluate MDNA11 in Combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in The Canadian Business Journal’s ABILITY Trial

TORONTO & HOUSTON, Sept. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Medicenna Therapeutics Corp. (“Medicenna” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: MDNA TSX: MDNA), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company, today announced Clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with Merck (known as MSD outside the US and Canada) to evaluate MDNA11, Medicenna’s “beta-only” long-acting IL-2 superagonist in combination with Keytruda has been concluded.^® (pembrolizumab), Merck’s anti-PD-1 (programmed death receptor-1) therapy in the ongoing Phase 1/2 ABILITY trial.

ABILITY is a Phase 1/2 study designed to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD) and exploratory efficacy of MDNA11 as monotherapy and in combination with KEYTRUDA is.^® In patients with advanced/metastatic solid tumors. Under the terms of the clinical trial supply and collaboration agreement, Medicenna will sponsor the study and Merck will supply Keytruda.^®The two companies will set up a joint development committee to optimally advance the integrated division of research.

Dr. Fahar Merchant, President and CEO of Medicenna, said: “We believe that MDNA11 has great potential as a single agent, but in combination with Keytruda,^® It has the potential to significantly enhance the therapeutic efficacy of various types of cancer, maximizing the value of MDNA11. Lucky to have the opportunity to explore MDNA11 in combination with KEYTRUDA^®“

“MDNA11 is designed to selectively expand CD8 T and NK cells and increase PD-1 expression in immune cells. Strong preclinical data show promising activity against anti-PD-1 , we look forward to the opportunity to evaluate the efficacy of MDNA11 in combination with KEYTRUDA.^® Dr. Merchant added.

Keytruda^® is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.

About Medicenna
Medicenna is a clinical-stage immunotherapy company focused on developing novel, highly selective versions of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-13 superkines, as well as first-in-class empowered superkines. Medicenna’s long-acting IL-2 superkine, MDNA11, is the next generation IL-2 with excellent CD122 (IL-2 receptor beta) binding without CD25 (IL-2 receptor alpha) affinity and thereby preferentially stimulate cancer-killing effector T cells and NK. cell. Medicenna early-stage BiSKITs™ program (byfunctional S.upperK.rice MeimmunityT.Helpys) are designed to enhance the ability of superkines to treat immunologically “cold” tumors. Medicenna’s IL-4 Empowered Superkine, MDNA55, is being studied in five clinical trials, including a Phase 2b trial in recurrent GBM, the most common and uniformly fatal form of brain cancer. MDNA55 has received Fast-Track and Orphan Drug status from the FDA and FDA/EMA, respectively.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws and other statements that are not historical facts relating to our future business. This includes, but is not limited to, statements relating to clinical feasibility, development and potential value. This includes clinical collaboration with Merck, study design and potential expansion into new oncology indications. Forward-looking statements often use words such as “will,” “may,” “should,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “believe,” “seek,” identified by terms such as ‘as gender’, and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this release, including statements regarding our future plans and objectives, are forward-looking statements that are subject to 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 projected by such statements. Significant factors that could cause the Company to differ materially from the above are detailed in our Annual Information Forms and Form 20-F and other documents that we file from time to time with the applicable securities regulators in Canada. including the risk of and the United States.

Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in preparing forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Actual results may differ materially from projections due to events and circumstances. It is the result of a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Such information, even if deemed reasonable by management, could prove to be inaccurate and actual results could differ materially from those projected. The forward-looking statements contained in are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, we do not publicly update any forward-looking statements contained herein. We have no intention or obligation to revise or revise it.

Further information

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