TORONTO and HOUSTON, Aug. 27, 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 that the Company will present two abstracts, both as oral presentations, at the Promise of Interleukin-2 Therapy Conference, taking place at the Centre International de Conférences Sorbonne Université in Paris, France, from September 4-7, 2024.

The Company will present preclinical data for the first time on its MDNA209 platform, featuring long-acting, high-affinity IL-2β biased IL-2/IL-15 Super-antagonists with therapeutic potential for autoimmune and graft-versus-host diseases. Additionally, further preclinical data will be presented on MDNA113, the Company's novel first-in-class IL-13Rα2 tumor-targeted and tumor-activated bifunctional anti-PD1-IL-2 Superkine.

Details for the oral presentations are as follows:

Title: MDNA209, a High Affinity IL-2β Biased IL-2/IL-15 Super-antagonist, for the Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases
Presenter: Dr. Hardeep Kataria
Session Title: Novel IL-2s, Vectorization and Combination Therapies
Session Date and Time: Friday September 6, 2024; 2 PM CEST (8 AM EST)

Title: MDNA113, an IL-13Rα2 Tumor Targeting and Conditionally Activatable anti-PD1-IL-2SK BiSKIT Shows Enhanced Safety and Potent Therapeutic Efficacy
Presenter: Dr. Minh To
Session Title: IL-2 in Cancer Therapy
Session Date and Time: Saturday September 7, 2024; 9 AM CEST (3 AM EST)

Following the conclusion of the Promise of Interleukin-2 Therapy Conference, copies of the presentations will be available on the "Scientific Presentations" page of Medicenna's website.

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 high-affinity IL-2β biased IL-2/IL-15 Super-antagonists, from its MDNA209 platform, are being evaluated as potential therapies for autoimmune and graft-versus host diseases. 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.

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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, such as statements on the therapeutic potential and safety profile of MDNA209 and MDNA113. Drug development and commercialization involve a high degree of risk, and only a small number of research and development programs result in commercialization of a product. Results in early-stage pre-clinical or clinical studies may not be indicative of full results or results from later stage or larger scale clinical studies and do not ensure regulatory approval. You should not place undue reliance on these statements, or the scientific data presented.

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.

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Investor/Media Contact:

Christina Cameron
Investor Relations, Medicenna Therapeutics
(647) 953-0673
ir@medicenna.com