• Eterna reports the development of an mRNA-engineered iPSC line developed using UltraSlice™ to express a B2M-HLA-E fusion transgene in lieu of the endogenous B2M gene product to mimic native B2M expression
• The cells may prove useful for the rapid development of therapeutics with the potential for increased efficacy and safety owing to the immune-evasive nature of the cells
• The poster presentation is on Friday, May 10^th 2024

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eterna Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: ERNA) (“Eterna” or the “Company”), a biopharmaceutical company using advanced cell engineering technology to develop transformational new medicines, today announced that Elizabeth Belcher will present a poster at the 27^th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy.

Allogeneic cell therapies derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can greatly reduce the manufacturing complexities of autologous and donor-derived allogeneic cell therapies such as scalability, batch-to-batch consistency, and cost. However, host immune cell recognition and clearance of exogenous cells can lead to iatrogenic toxicities and ineffective therapeutic responses. We previously reported generation of iPSCs using an mRNA-based process that avoids the genomic integration and instability risks of DNA and viral reprogramming methods. Here, we report the development of an mRNA-engineered iPSC line developed using UltraSlice™ to express a B2M-HLA-E fusion transgene in lieu of the endogenous B2M gene product to mimic native B2M expression (i.e., upregulation when exposed to proinflammatory stimuli). These cells may prove useful for the rapid development of therapeutics with the potential for increased efficacy and safety owing to the immune-evasive nature of the cells.

"It's exciting to see the continued advancements in our science and the capabilities of the UltraSlice™ platform," said Sanjeev Luther, CEO of Eterna Therapeutics. "We look forward to further exploring the potential clinical applications internally and with strategic partners."

Poster Presentation Details

Title: Targeted Insertion of HLA-E at the B2M Locus of mRNA-Reprogrammed iPSCs Facilitates the Development of Allogeneic Cell Therapies with Enhanced Safety Features

Presenter: Elizabeth Belcher, Research Associate II

Date: Friday, May 10, 2024

Time: 12:00 Noon

Session Title: Friday Posters Targeted Gene Insertion

Session Room: Exhibit Hall

Location: Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, MD

About Eterna Therapeutics Inc.

Eterna Therapeutics is a life science company committed to realizing the potential of mRNA cell engineering to provide patients with transformational new medicines. Eterna has in-licensed a portfolio of over 100 patents covering key mRNA cell engineering technologies, including technologies for mRNA cell reprogramming, mRNA gene editing, the NoveSlice™ and UltraSlice™ gene-editing proteins, and the ToRNAdo™ mRNA delivery system from Factor Bioscience. NoveSlice™, UltraSlice™, and ToRNAdo™ are trademarks of Factor Bioscience. For more information, please visit www.eternatx.com. 

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are any statements that are not statements of historical fact and may be identified by terminology such as “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “project,” “will” or other similar words and the negatives of such words. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, uncertainties related to: (i) the evolution of Eterna’s business model into a platform company focused on mRNA, iPS cell and gene editing technologies; (ii) Eterna’s ability to successfully, cost-effectively and efficiently develop its technology and products; (iii) Eterna’s ability to successfully commence clinical trials of any products on a timely basis or at all; (iv) Eterna’s ability to successfully fund and manage the growth of its development activities; and (v) Eterna ’s ability to obtain regulatory approvals of its products for commercialization. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The forward-looking statements made in this communication speak only as of the date on which they were made, and Eterna does not undertake any obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date hereof, except as required by applicable law. Factors that may cause Eterna’s actual results to differ from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements contained in this press release are more fully disclosed in Eterna’s periodic public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly under the heading “Risk Factors” in Eterna’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as well as under similar headings in Eterna’s subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

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