Correvio Pharma Corp.

TORONTO and HOUSTON, Aug. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medicenna Therapeutics Corp. (“Medicenna” or the “Company”) (TSX: MDNA, OTCQB: MDNAF), a clinical-stage immunotherapy company focused on the development of Superkines, announced today the appointment of Mr. Karim Lalji as a new addition to its Board of Directors effective as of August 14, 2024. “We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Mr. Karim Lalji as a new member to our Board of Directors,” said Dr. Fahar Merchant, President and CEO of Medicenna. “With a distinguished career spanning the life sciences sector, Mr. Lalji brings to our Board of Directors his exceptional transactional expertise, strategic vision and a solid track record of big-pharma partnerships that will be invaluable to Medicenna as it builds its Superkine platform and pipeline of promising best and first-in-class clinical assets.” Mr. Lalji added, “I'm honoured and excited to join Medicenna's Board of Directors. The recent data from the Phase 1/2 ABILITY-1 Study highlights the best-in-class potential of MDNA11 in treating advanced solid tumors. Combined with the compelling Phase 2b results for bizaxofusp in brain cancer, a versatile Superkine platform, and a highly capable management team, Medicenna is well-positioned for continued success in advancing its immune-based therapies for cancer and other diseases by ingeniously modulating the immune system.” Mr. Lalji began his career with Merck & Company at their world headquarters in New Jersey. During his 10-year tenure at Merck, he held several positions of increasing responsibilities, eventually driving global strategies for several of the company’s therapeutic franchises including the global executive leading the osteoporosis franchise and growing annual sales of its lead program to over $1 billion. Subsequent to Merck, Mr. Lalji was Vice President of Business Strategy and New Product Commercialization at Sepracor, Inc., significantly contributing to the company’s growth from $50 million to over $1 billion in annual sales. In 2006, Mr. Lalji joined Cardiome Pharma Corp. as Chief Commercial Officer, facilitating a $1 billion licensing transaction with Merck, the largest licensing deal completed by a Canadian biopharma company at that time. Mr. Lalji joins Medicenna’s Board of Directors with broad governance experience, having served as Chairman of the Board for the oncology-focused Sitka Biopharma, and as Board Member of AccelRX and the Centre for Drug Research and Development (now known as adMare BioInnovations). Additionally, he served on the Board of Overseers of Harvard University’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a leading academic teaching hospital, where he continues as a Board Member Emeritus and is a member of its Research Oversight Committee. Currently, Mr. Lalji is the CEO of Microbion Pharma Corp., a privately held clinical-stage pharmaceutical company. Karim holds a BBA from Simon Fraser University and a Science Master’s Degree in Health Policy and Management from Harvard University, where he was awarded the Wilinsky Award for Academic Excellence. 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. 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 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. For more information, please visit www.medicenna.com, and follow us on X and LinkedIn. Forward-Looking Statements 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. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “will”, “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “believe”, “seek”, “potentially” and similar expressions. and 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 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 latest annual information form of the Company and in other filings made by the Company with the applicable securities regulators from time to time in Canada. 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, 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 hereof and except as required by law, we do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements. This news releases contains hyperlinks to information that is not deemed to be incorporated by reference in this new release. Investor/Media Contact: Christina CameronInvestor Relations, Medicenna Therapeutics(647) 953-0673ir@medicenna.com

GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 02, 2024. artesian Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering mRNA cell therapy for autoimmune diseases, today announced that the first patient has been dosed in its Phase 2 open-label clinical trial evaluating Descartes-08 in patients with systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Descartes-08, Cartesian’s lead mRNA cell therapy candidate and a potential first-in-class mRNA-engineered chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (mRNA CAR-T), is an autologous mRNA CAR-T product candidate targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA). In contrast to conventional DNA-based CAR-T cell therapies, mRNA CAR-T administration is designed not to require preconditioning chemotherapy and is not expected to carry the risk of genomic integration associated with cancerous transformation. Descartes-08 has previously been administered in patients in a Phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of myasthenia gravis (MG). To date, the safety profile from the MG trial supports outpatient administration with minimal observation. “Despite recent advances in the SLE treatment landscape, many patients receiving currently available therapies continue to experience severe, incapacitating symptoms and disease progression,” said Carsten Brunn, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Cartesian. “Descartes-08 is purposefully designed to overcome the limitations associated with the application of conventional, costly DNA-engineered CAR-T cell therapies for autoimmune diseases. We believe that Descartes-08 could serve as a safe and effective outpatient option for the patients with SLE for whom existing therapies fall short. We are committed to unlocking the full potential of Descartes-08 and look forward to advancing this trial in the months ahead.” “Dosing of the first patient with Cartesian’s autologous mRNA CAR-T cell therapy is a monumental accomplishment for the lupus patient community,” said Susan Manzi, M.D., M.P.H., Chair of the Medicine Institute at Allegheny Health Network and Medical Director for the Lupus Foundation of America. “Treatment options for lupus patients are suboptimal. I am hopeful that Descartes-08 administered as an outpatient therapy will demonstrate early and long-lasting clinical benefit in patients with certain B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases like lupus." The Phase 2 open-label trial (NCT06038474), which is expected to enroll up to 30 adult patients, is designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of outpatient administration of Descartes-08 without preconditioning chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with moderate or severe SLE refractory to immunosuppressant therapy. Secondary outcome measures will assess overall disease activity. About Systemic Lupus Erythematosu s Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an incurable chronic autoimmune disease marked by systemic inflammation that affects multiple organ systems including the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and heart. The symptoms of SLE can range from mild to life-threatening and often include fatigue, joint pain, rash, and fever. SLE impacts approximately 1.5 million people in the United States. About Cartesian Therapeutics Cartesian Therapeutics is a clinical-stage company pioneering mRNA cell therapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The Company’s lead asset, Descartes-08, is a potential first-in-class mRNA CAR-T in Phase 2b clinical development for patients with generalized myasthenia gravis and Phase 2 development for systematic lupus erythematosus, with a Phase 2 basket trial planned in additional autoimmune indications. The Company’s clinical-stage pipeline also includes Descartes-15, a next-generation, autologous anti-BCMA mRNA CAR-T. Forward Looking Statements Any statements in this press release about the future expectations, plans and prospects of the Company, including without limitation, statements regarding the ability of Descartes-08 and mRNA CAR-T product candidates generally to be administered in an outpatient setting or without the need for preconditioning lymphodepleting chemotherapy, the ability of Descartes-08 and mRNA CAR-T product candidates generally to avoid the risk of genomic integration associated with cancerous transformation the potential of Descartes-08, Descartes-15, and the Company’s other product candidates to treat MG, SLE, or any other disease, the anticipated timing or the outcome of ongoing and planned clinical trials, studies and data readouts, the anticipated timing or the outcome of the FDA’s review of the Company’s regulatory filings, the Company’s ability to conduct its clinical trials and preclinical studies, the timing or making of any regulatory filings, the anticipated timing or outcome of selection of developmental product candidates, the novelty of treatment paradigms that the Company is able to develop, the potential of any therapies developed by the Company to fulfill unmet medical needs, and enrollment in the Company’s clinical trials and other statements containing the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “hypothesize,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “would,” and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including, but not limited to, the following: the uncertainties inherent in the initiation, completion and cost of clinical trials including proof of concept trials, including uncertain outcomes, the availability and timing of data from ongoing and future clinical trials and the results of such trials, whether preliminary results from a particular clinical trial will be predictive of the final results of that trial and whether results of early clinical trials will be indicative of the results of later clinical trials, the ability to predict results of studies performed on human beings based on results of studies performed on non-human subjects, the unproven approach of the Company’s technology, potential delays in enrollment of patients, undesirable side effects of the Company’s product candidates, its reliance on third parties to conduct its clinical trials, the Company’s inability to maintain its existing or future collaborations, licenses or contractual relationships, its inability to protect its proprietary technology and intellectual property, potential delays in regulatory approvals, the availability of funding sufficient for its foreseeable and unforeseeable operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements, the Company’s recurring losses from operations and negative cash flows, substantial fluctuation in the price of the Company’s common stock, risks related to geopolitical conflicts and pandemics and other important factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in other filings that the Company makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, any forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company’s views only as of the date of its publication and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. The Company specifically disclaims any intention to update any forward-looking statements included in this press release, except as required by law. Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.

Dr. Corrigan brings over three decades of life sciences leadership experience to Silver Creek. SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Silver Creek Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the selective targeting of naturally-occurring growth factors to promote cell survival and growth, has appointed Mark Corrigan, MD, as President. Continue Reading (PRNewsfoto/SILVER CREEK PHARMACEUTICALS) "We are pleased to welcome Dr. Corrigan to lead Silver Creek through its next phase of growth," said Tim Throsby, Silver Creek's Chairman of the Board. "We are confident that Mark's deep experience in drug development and life sciences leadership will enable the company to continue to advance scp776 and our Smart Growth Factor™ platform, bringing us one step closer to achieving our mission of changing lives by rescuing cells from injury." "The elegance and innovation behind Silver Creek's Smart Growth Factor™ platform is very compelling, and the pre-clinical data around scp776 is equally impressive. I am excited to join the team at a time when the ARPEGGIO study is gaining momentum, and to help guide the organization through this much-anticipated data read-out," said Dr. Corrigan. Dr. Corrigan is an industry veteran with over three decades of life sciences leadership and drug development experience. Dr. Corrigan most recently served as CEO of Tremeau Pharmaceuticals, a non-opioid pain company that he co-founded. Dr. Corrigan previously served as CEO of Correvio Pharma Corp, leading their acquisition by Advanz Pharma in 2021. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President, Research and Development, at Sepracor. Prior to joining Sepracor, Dr. Corrigan spent 10 years with Pharmacia & Upjohn, culminating as Vice President of Global Clinical Research and Experimental Medicine. Dr. Corrigan serves as Chairman of the Board of Elios Therapeutics and as a member of the Board of Wave Life Sciences and Trevena Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Corrigan previously served on the Board of Cubist prior to its acquisition by Merck and on the Board of Avanir prior to its acquisition by Otsuka. Dr. Corrigan holds a B.A. and M.D. from the University of Virginia and received specialty training in psychiatry at Maine Medical Center and Cornell University. About scp776 Scp776 is Silver Creek's lead investigational therapy. Scp776 is a first-in-class, targeted fusion protein that harnesses the cell survival function of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Scp776 is currently being evaluated in ARPEGGIO, a Phase II study for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (NCT05585606). About ARPEGGIO ARPEGGIO (NCT05585606) is a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase II study evaluating the safety and neuroprotective capacity of scp776 in subjects undergoing endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke. ARPEGGIO is actively enrolling subjects at multiple centers across the United States. For more information, please visit . About Silver Creek Pharmaceuticals Silver Creek is a clinical-stage biotechnology company headquartered in San Francisco, CA. Silver Creek's Smart Growth Factor™ technology enables the rapid development of targeted therapeutics with broad scope and applicability. Our lead asset, scp776, is a first-in-class, targeted fusion protein that harnesses the cell survival function of IGF-1. For more information about Silver Creek, please visit . Media Contact: Corey MacGregor VP, New Products Planning Silver Creek Pharmaceuticals [email protected] SOURCE Silver Creek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.