Lund, December 14, 2023 – Active Biotech (NASDAQ STOCKHOLM: ACTI) today announced that preclinical data on tasquinimod, a small molecule immunomodulator, in myelofibrosis and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) are now available on the company’s website. The data were presented at the 65th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting (ASH 2023) in San Diego, CA, December 9-12, 2023.

The abstract, entitled Preclinical studies demonstrating efficacy of tasquinimod in models of advanced myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) in blastic phase, was presented as an oral presentation by Dr. Warren Fiskus, PhD, MD Anderson Cancer Center, TX, USA. The abstract is the result of a collaboration between Active Biotech and Professor Kapil Bhalla’s research group at MD Anderson. The results demonstrate tasquinimod’s efficacy as monotherapy and in combination with approved and investigational therapies in models of advanced MPNs. The positive results create a rationale for a clinical study in patients with myelofibrosis.

In addition, the abstract entitled Tasquinimod improves erythropoiesis and mitigates bone loss in myelodysplastic mice was presented as a poster by Dr. Manja Wobus, University Hospital Dresden, Germany. The abstract comes from our collaboration with Dr Wobus in Dresden, showing the first evidence for an in vivo effect of tasquinimod in a murine model of MDS, by significantly improving red blood cell counts and decreasing bone loss.

Information on the presentations:

P 741 Preclinical Studies Demonstrating Efficacy of Tasquinimod in Models of Advanced Myeloproliferative Neoplasm (MPN) in Blastic Phase, Warren Fiskus et al. Session: 631. Myeloproliferative Syndromes and Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Basic and Translational: Stromal-Immune and Signaling Context, Dec 11, 2023, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM, San Diego Convention Center, Ballroom 20AB

P 2798 Tasquinimod Improves Erythropoiesis and Mitigates Bone Loss in Myelodysplastic Mice, Manja Wobus et al. Session: 604. Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Resistance: Myeloid Neoplasms: Poster II, Sunday, December 10, 2023, 6:00 PM - 8:00, San Diego Convention Center, Halls G-H

The presentations are now available on Active Biotech’s website. The abstracts are available on the ASH website.

For further information, please contact:

Helén Tuvesson, CEO, +46 46 19 21 56, helen.tuvesson@activebiotech.com
Hans Kolam, CFO, +46 46 19 20 44, hans.kolam@activebiotech.com

About Active Biotech

Active Biotech AB (publ) (NASDAQ Stockholm: ACTI) is a biotechnology company that deploys its extensive knowledge base and portfolio of compounds to develop first-in-class immunomodulatory treatments for specialist oncology and immunology indications with a high unmet medical need and significant commercial potential. Following a portfolio refocus, the business model of Active Biotech aims to advance projects to the clinical development phase and then further develop the programs internally or pursue in partnership. Active Biotech currently holds three projects in its portfolio: The wholly owned small molecule immunomodulators, tasquinimod and laquinimod, both having a mode of actions that includes modulation of myeloid immune cell function, are targeted towards hematological malignancies and inflammatory eye disorders, respectively. Tasquinimod, is in clinical phase Ib/IIa for treatment of multiple myeloma. Laquinimod is in clinical development for treatment of non-infectious uveitis and a clinical phase I study with a topical ophthalmic formulation has been concluded. Naptumomab, a targeted anti-cancer immunotherapy, partnered to NeoTX Therapeutics, is in a phase Ib/II clinical program in patients with advanced solid tumors. Please visit www.activebiotech.com for more information.

About tasquinimod

Tasquinimod is an orally active small molecule immunomodulator with a novel mode of action, blocking tumor supporting pathways in the bone marrow microenvironment. Tasquinimod is being developed as a new immunomodulatory treatment for hematological malignances. Tasquinimod has previously been studied as an anti-cancer agent in patients with solid cancers, including a phase III randomized trial in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. The tolerability of tasquinimod is well-characterized based on these previous experiences. Tasquinimod has demonstrated a clear therapeutic potential in preclinical models of multiple myeloma, when used as a single agent and in combination with standard multiple myeloma therapy. A clinical Phase Ib/IIa study is ongoing with tasquinimod in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. Tasquinimod ameliorates disease development in preclinical models for myelofibrosis. In February 2022 Active Biotech entered into an exclusive license agreement with Oncode Institute, a foundation acting on behalf of Erasmus Universiteit Medisch Centrum (Erasmus MC) to develop and commercialize tasquinimod in myelofibrosis. A clinical study with tasquinimod in patients with myelofibrosis is planned to start in the first half of 2024.

Attachments

Positive preclinical tasquinimod data presented at ASH 2023 now available on Active Biotech’s website

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