Welcome to our dedicated page for Medicenna Therapeutics news (Ticker: MDNAF), a resource for investors and traders seeking the latest updates and insights on Medicenna Therapeutics stock.
Overview
Medicenna Therapeutics Corp (MDNAF) is a clinical stage immunotherapy company focused on the research and development of novel cytokine-based therapeutics. By harnessing cutting-edge technology in the fields of immunotherapy, oncology, and targeted protein engineering, Medicenna is dedicated to crafting highly selective superkines and empowered cytokines aimed at advancing the treatment of diverse cancers and immune-mediated diseases.
Innovative Therapeutic Approach
At the heart of Medicenna’s platform is the development of superkines which are engineered variants of naturally occurring cytokines. These superkines are designed to exhibit enhanced precision in targeting cancer cells while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues. The company pioneers techniques that modify cytokines such as IL-2, IL-4, and IL-13 to improve their efficacy and safety profiles. By either utilizing these molecules as stand‐alone therapeutics or fusing them with other proteins, including pro‐apoptotic agents and antibodies, Medicenna aims to deliver potent cell-killing agents specifically to the tumor microenvironment.
Core Business Areas
Medicenna’s research spans several key areas within immunotherapy:
- Targeted Cytokine Therapy: Designing modified cytokines that harness immune responses while avoiding systemic toxicity.
- Empowered Cytokines (ECS): Developing first-in-class agents that offer a novel mechanism for precise therapeutic intervention.
- Protein Fusion Technologies: Integrating superkines with antibodies or pro-apoptotic proteins to improve delivery and specificity of cancer therapies.
Scientific Expertise and Strategic Collaborations
The company leverages deep scientific expertise in molecular biology, protein engineering, and immunology to drive its discovery and development initiatives. Medicenna works alongside world-class collaborators, combining academic insights with industry experience to foster innovation. This collaborative framework facilitates the translation of advanced research concepts into clinically relevant therapies that can eventually shift paradigms in cancer treatment and other immune-related disorders.
Market Position and Competitive Landscape
Within the competitive biopharmaceutical landscape, Medicenna is uniquely positioned as a pioneer in the field of targeted cytokine-based therapies. Its emphasis on engineering superkines and empowered cytokines places it in a specialized niche that caters to the unmet needs of patients with complex oncological and immune conditions. Although still in the clinical stage, the company’s novel approach distinguishes its therapeutic pipeline from more conventional immunotherapy modalities and represents a fresh perspective on precision oncology.
Clinical and Translational Impact
Medicenna’s strategic focus is to maximize the therapeutic potential of cytokines by enhancing their selectivity and therapeutic window. Its research into combining these therapeutics with fusion proteins, such as immunocytokines, aims to address the challenges associated with drug delivery and efficacy. Through rigorous preclinical and early clinical investigations, the company is building a foundation that reflects deep scientific inquiry and the potential for eventual clinical translation.
Conclusion
In summary, Medicenna Therapeutics Corp serves as a prime example of innovative biotechnology aimed at refining and rewriting the future of immunotherapy. Through its targeted development of superkines and empowered cytokine therapies, the company contributes valuable insights and technologies to the field of precision cancer treatment and immune modulation. Its robust platform, built on a blend of advanced research and strategic partnerships, represents a thoughtful approach to addressing some of the most challenging aspects of oncology and immune-mediated disorders.
Medicenna Therapeutics (TSX: MDNA, OTCQX: MDNAF) presented new clinical data from the ABILITY-1 study of MDNA11 at the inaugural AACR Immuno-Oncology Conference. The study evaluates MDNA11 alone or combined with Merck's KEYTRUDA® in advanced solid tumors.
Key highlights include MDNA11's ability to significantly expand 'stem-like' CD8+ T cells, which are associated with more persistent anti-tumor activity. In the monotherapy dose expansion cohort, MDNA11 showed a 30% objective response rate in checkpoint-resistant patients. The combination with KEYTRUDA® demonstrated a 78% disease control rate, including one complete response, one partial response, and five stable disease cases.
The Safety Review Committee cleared the 120 µg/kg MDNA11 dose every two weeks in combination with KEYTRUDA®, with no dose-limiting toxicities observed. The company is also exploring dosing every three weeks for improved patient convenience. Additional tumor types will be evaluated, with combination dose expansion expected to begin mid-2025.
Medicenna Therapeutics (OTCQX: MDNAF) reported its Q3 FY2025 financial results and operational updates. Key highlights include a 78% disease control rate in the MDNA11-KEYTRUDA combination arm and a 30% objective response rate in the monotherapy dose expansion cohort. The company maintained a strong financial position with $30 million in cash, expected to fund operations through mid-2026.
The ABILITY-1 trial showed promising results, including one complete response in a 70-year-old patient with advanced anal cancer and one partial response in a colorectal cancer patient. R&D expenses increased to $3.4 million from $3.0 million year-over-year, while G&A expenses slightly decreased to $1.7 million. The company reported a quarterly net loss of $5.2 million ($0.07 per share).
Medicenna Therapeutics Corp. (TSX: MDNA, OTCQX: MDNAF), a clinical-stage immunotherapy company, has announced its participation in two major healthcare investor conferences in February 2025. The company will present at the Oppenheimer Annual Healthcare Life Sciences Conference on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 9:20 a.m. ET, with a webcast available for 180 days following the event.
Additionally, Medicenna will participate in a fireside chat at the B. Riley Securities Precision Oncology & Radiopharma Conference on Friday, February 28, 2025, in New York City. The company's management team will be available for one-on-one meetings with investors during both conferences. Interested investors can schedule meetings through conference representatives or by contacting Medicenna's investor relations team directly.
Medicenna Therapeutics (MDNAF) presented new preclinical data for MDNA11 at the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The data showed that single-agent MDNA11 outperformed combined immune checkpoint inhibitors in preventing metastasis and achieving long-term survival in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) models.
Key findings demonstrated that a single low dose of MDNA11 as neoadjuvant therapy significantly prevented metastasis, with 6/7 mice at low-dose (2 mg/kg) and 7/8 mice at high-dose (5 mg/kg) surviving over 4 months without metastasis signs. The treatment also enabled memory immune response against tumor rechallenges, while promoting CD8+ T cell infiltration into the tumor microenvironment without affecting Treg cells.
Medicenna Therapeutics announced updated clinical data from its Phase 1/2 ABILITY-1 study, highlighting significant progress in cancer treatment. A notable achievement includes the first complete response (CR) in a 70-year-old patient with advanced anal cancer within 8 weeks of treatment combining MDNA11 with KEYTRUDA®.
The study demonstrates promising disease control rates of 55% in monotherapy and 78% in combination arms. Key findings include durable complete regression in two CPI-resistant patients, with one melanoma patient remaining tumor-free at week 63 and a pancreatic cancer patient maintaining response for 11 months post-study.
Safety profile shows over 90% of treatment-related adverse events were Grade 1-2 and transient. Additional clinical data will be presented at medical conferences in Q1 and Q2 of 2025.
Medicenna Therapeutics announced it will present updated clinical data from its ongoing Phase 1/2 ABILITY-1 study at the 2024 Immunotherapy Bridge Conference in Naples, Italy. The presentation will showcase results from both monotherapy and combination arms evaluating MDNA11, a long-acting 'beta-enhanced not-alpha' interleukin-2 super-agonist, in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors. Dr. Arash Yavari will deliver the presentation on December 5, 2024, focusing on safety and efficacy results from this first-in-human study.
Medicenna Therapeutics presented preclinical data on MDNA11 and bizaxofusp at the 2024 SNO Annual Meeting. The data showed significant results in treating glioblastoma (GBM). MDNA11, a long-acting IL-2 Superkine, demonstrated survival benefits and enhanced immune cell expansion, while bizaxofusp selectively targeted tumor cells and immune-suppressive cells. The combination therapy showed synergistic tumor-killing effects in GBM tumoroids. Key findings included MDNA11's significant survival benefit (p = 0.031) in GBM models and bizaxofusp's selective elimination of Tregs (IC50 = 0.011 nM). The results suggest potential breakthrough treatment for cancers not responding to current immunotherapies.
Medicenna Therapeutics reported Q2 fiscal 2025 results highlighting strong performance of MDNA11 in the ABILITY-1 study. The drug showed a 30% objective response rate in monotherapy dose expansion and demonstrated effectiveness against ICI-resistant cancers. Notable results include 66.7% response rate in MSI-H patients with pancreatic cancer. The company reported $30.4 million in cash and equivalents, with an additional $1.9 million from warrant exercises, extending runway through mid-2026. The study's combination with KEYTRUDA® showed favorable safety profile with no dose-limiting toxicities at 90 µg/kg dose.
Medicenna Therapeutics (TSX: MDNA, OTCQX: MDNAF) has announced upcoming presentations at two major medical conferences. At the 29th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) in Houston (November 21-24, 2024), the company will present pre-clinical data on MDNA11 and IL-2 Superkines in glioblastoma models.
Additionally, at the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) (December 10-13, 2024), Medicenna will present pre-clinical data on MDNA11's effectiveness as a neoadjuvant treatment in aggressive metastatic breast cancer models. Both presentations will focus on the company's innovative immunotherapy approaches using Superkines.
Medicenna reported positive results from its Phase 1/2 ABILITY-1 study of MDNA11, showing a 30% objective response rate in monotherapy dose expansion cohort among advanced solid tumor patients who failed immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Among phase 2-eligible patients, the response rate was 25%, including 1 complete response and 4 partial responses. The drug demonstrated encouraging safety profile in combination with KEYTRUDA®, with no dose limiting toxicities observed. Notable responses included 2 partial responses in MSI-H pancreatic cancer patients and tumor control in 4 out of 5 evaluable patients in the combination arm, including a partial response in MSS colon cancer.