ME Therapeutics Holdings Inc. provided an overview and update on current research and development programs. ME Therapeutics has two drug development programs and one drug discovery program currently underway. The two development programs include anti-G-CSF antibody candidate and myeloid targeted prodrug candidates and are engaged in the early stages of a discovery program centered around novel lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations. All three programs target distinct areas of myeloid cell biology in order to inhibit the suppressive effects of suppressive myeloid cells on the anti-cancer immune response.

These drug candidates are being developed to target pathways of myeloid cell biology that the company believe are not currently being targeted effectively. The company is developing both biological and small molecule drug candidates in order to diversify risks inherent to either class of drug. G-CSF Antibody Candidate Update: ME Therapeutics anti-G-CSF antibody candidate (h1B11-12) is its most advanced preclinical asset.

The antibody is a humanized, high affinity, antibody that binds to and blocks the function of human G-CSF and it has applied for patent protection to cover the composition and use of this antibody to treat cancer. On March 9, 2023, the company was granted a patent right in China for the composition and use of its lead anti-G-CSF antibody candidate by the China National Intellectual Property Administration. The Company is still awaiting the final examination of this patent by patent offices in the United States, Europe, and Canada.

Myeloid Prodrug Candidate Update: Its myeloid targeted prodrug is an earlier stage preclinical asset which the company is working on testing preclinically. In December 2017, ME Therapeutics conducted a high throughput small molecule drug screen used to test 2,850 small molecule drug candidates for their ability to reverse the suppression of cancer killing T cells by myeloid cells from tumours. Several small molecule drug candidates were discovered and subsequently, ME Therapeutics' team tested and confirmed the activity of the drug candidates in their lab.

This confirmatory testing was carried out using several in vitro immunology models. In addition, ME Therapeutics reviewed the scientific literature around the small molecule drug candidates to determine if there was existing evidence to support the discovered ability to reverse T cell suppression by myeloid cells. Novel LNP Formulation Update: Use of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver nucleic acids (i.e. mRNAs, siRNAs, gRNAs) to specific myeloid populations for immunization or gene therapy is a promising addition to the IO repertoire.

LNPs generally contain an ionizable lipid, a helper phospholipid, cholesterol and PEG, the relative ratios of which have significant effects on cell and tissue targeting and potency. In order to uncover new LNP formulations optimized for use in IO, the Company will carry out studies in collaboration with Dr. Kenneth Harder's lab at UBC. These studies will employ a cutting edge multiomic barcode based high-dimensional single cell LNP formulation screen developed in Dr. Harder's laboratory to identify LNPs with myeloid cell targeting and regulatory potential.

The company's investment in this new technology is based on the belief that LNP small molecule and nucleic acid therapies represent one of the most promising new developments in the IO space. The company is currently exploring the most effective way to proceed with this discovery program and intends to start in the first 3 months of 2024.