• Positive Initial Phase 1 Pharmacokinetic, Pharmacodynamic and Safety Data for IMM-1-104 Universal-RAS Program presented at American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting
  
• First demonstration of novel deep cyclic inhibition mechanism in humans, with IMM-1-104 achieving significant levels of PK Cmax and a half-life of approximately two hours as predicted
• Study timeline for IMM-1-104 accelerated: recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) now expected in early 2024
• Pharmacodynamic data support potential to evaluate preliminary efficacy sooner than expected 
• Completed $30 million underwritten offering; Projected cash runway extended into 2025 

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Immuneering Corporation (Nasdaq: IMRX), a clinical-stage oncology company developing medicines for broad populations of cancer patients with an initial aim to develop a universal-RAS therapy, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023, and provided business updates.

“2023 has already been transformative for Immuneering, headlined by initial Phase 1 PK, PD, and safety data for IMM-1-104 presented at AACR, which we believe demonstrated the profile necessary for deep cyclic inhibition for the first time in humans. We are excited by the data, which we believe de-risks key elements of our universal-RAS program,” said Ben Zeskind, Ph.D., Co-founder, and Chief Executive Officer of Immuneering. “In addition, we are delighted to have achieved significant levels of PK Cmax earlier than expected, which has enabled us to accelerate our study timeline. We now expect to announce a recommended Phase 2 dose in early 2024, which provides us an opportunity to assess potential preliminary efficacy earlier than anticipated. In connection with our initial data announcement at AACR, we were also pleased to announce the completion of a successful $30 million financing, which extends our cash runway into 2025. 2023 is shaping up to be a breakout year for Immuneering as we continue to expeditiously advance IMM-1-104 in the clinic. We look forward to providing further updates later in the year.”

Corporate Highlights

• Positive Initial Phase 1 Pharmacokinetic, Pharmacodynamic and Safety Data for IMM-1-104 Universal-RAS Program presented at American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting: In April 2023, Immuneering presented initial Phase 1 PK, PD and safety data for IMM-1-104 at the AACR annual meeting. Data presented at AACR (as of the April 10, 2023 cutoff date) support IMM-1-104’s potential to address a broad population of patients with RAS mutant tumors and provide the first demonstration of the profile necessary for its novel deep cyclic inhibition mechanism in humans, with IMM-1-104 achieving significant levels of PK Cmax and a half-life of approximately two hours as predicted. IMM-1-104 was well tolerated with no dose limiting toxicities or serious adverse events observed. In addition, the pharmacodynamic data supports the potential to evaluate preliminary efficacy sooner than expected and RP2D is now expected in early 2024.
• Preclinical data on lead program IMM-1-104 presented at AACR annual meeting: Immuneering also presented preclinical data at AACR in which the antitumor activity of IMM-1-104 was evaluated in 132 tumor models spanning 12 distinct tumor types utilizing its proprietary humanized 3D tumor growth assay (3D-TGA). Based on drug-response sensitivity and resistance profiles, a biomarker signature for IMM-1-104 was developed to project potential therapeutic response in more than 100,000 cancer patients found in the AACR Project GENIE® database. Mutational landscapes of patients within GENIE helped identify preclinical models that represent patient profiles likely to be encountered in the clinic. These results were utilized in prioritizing indications for the planned Phase 2a clinical trial.
• Preclinical data on lead program IMM-1-104 presented at AACR special conference targeting RAS: In March 2023, Immuneering presented preclinical data in a poster titled, “Pan-RAS IMM-1-104 activity in humanized 3D tumor models is independent of specific amino acid substitution.” IMM-1-104 demonstrated response across RAS mutant preclinical models regardless of mutation position or amino acid substitution, suggesting potential relevance to a broad universal-RAS-driven patient population.
• $30 Million Underwritten Offering: In April 2023, Immuneering completed an underwritten offering of 2,727,273 shares of its Class A common stock at an offering price of $11.00 per share. The net proceeds from the offering are expected to be $27.8 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by Immuneering. Immuneering intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to advance the preclinical and clinical development of its product candidates and for working capital and other general corporate purposes.
• Chief Business Officer appointed: In March 2023, the company announced the appointment of Harold E. Brakewood (“E.B.”) as its Chief Business Officer. Mr. Brakewood, who has more than 25 years of experience as a senior executive in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, will be responsible for corporate and business development, new product planning, and commercial strategy.

Near-Term Milestone Expectations

IMM-1-104

• Additional trial updates expected on a periodic basis.
• RP2D and additional safety data expected in early 2024.

IMM-6-415

• IND filing expected in the fourth quarter of 2023.

First Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights

• Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities as of March 31, 2023 were $91.5 million, compared with $105.5 million as of December 31, 2022. 
• Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses for the first quarter ended 2023, were $10.2 million compared with $9.1 million for the first quarter of 2022. The increase in R&D expenses was primarily attributable to higher clinical costs related to the company’s lead program and increased personnel to support ongoing research and development activities.
• General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses for the first quarter of 2023 were $4.5 million compared with $4.0 million for the same period of 2022. The increase in G&A is primarily attributed to an increase in headcount in the company’s general and administrative functions to support the business, and costs related to operating as a public company.
• Net Loss: Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $13.6 million, or $0.51 per share, for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to $12.9 million, or $0.49 per share, for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022. 

2023 Financial Guidance

Based on cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, as of March 31, 2023, including estimated net proceeds from the April 2023 underwritten offering, and current operating plans, the company expects its cash runway to extend into 2025.

About Immuneering Corporation

Immuneering is a clinical-stage oncology company developing medicines for broad populations of cancer patients with an initial aim to develop a universal-RAS therapy. The company aims to achieve universal activity through deep cyclic inhibition of the MAPK pathway, impacting cancer cells while sparing healthy cells. Immuneering’s lead product candidate, IMM-1-104, is in a Phase 1/2a study in patients with advanced solid tumors harboring RAS mutations. The company’s development pipeline also includes IMM-6-415, a universal-MAPK program, as well as several early-stage programs. For more information, please visit www.immuneering.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain disclosures that contain "forward-looking statements," including, without limitation, statements regarding Immuneering’s expectations regarding the treatment potential of IMM-1-104, the design, enrollment criteria and conduct of the Phase 1/2a clinical trial, the translation of preclinical data into human clinical data, the ability of initial clinical data to de-risk IMM-1-104 and be confirmed as the study progresses, including the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and potential efficacy of IMM-1-104; the potential advantages and effectiveness of the company’s clinical and preclinical candidates, the timing of additional trial updates, recommended phase 2 dose and additional safety data, the indications to be pursued by Immuneering in the Phase 2a portion of the study, the timing of submission of the IND for IMM-6-415, the sufficiency of its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, its current business plans and cash runway, and Immuneering’s ability to advance its pipeline and further diversify its portfolio and make progress towards its longstanding goal of creating better medicines for cancer patients. Forward-looking statements are based on Immuneering’s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, the risks inherent in oncology drug research and development, including target discovery, target validation, lead compound identification, lead compound optimization, preclinical studies, and clinical trials. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the section titled "Risk Factors" in Immuneering’s most recent Form 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and Immuneering undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

Media Contact:
Gina Nugent
Nugent Communications
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Investor Contacts:
Laurence Watts
Gilmartin Group
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or

Kiki Patel, PharmD
Gilmartin Group
332-895-3225
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