• Presentation to focus on application of next-generation CAR-T cell therapy technologies for treatment of autoimmune disease
• Gracell to highlight translational research supporting CD19/BCMA dual-targeting approach in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

SAN DIEGO and SUZHOU, China and SHANGHAI, China, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gracell Biotechnologies Inc. ("Gracell" or the "Company", NASDAQ: GRCL), a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing  innovative and highly efficacious cell therapies for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease, today announced that the Company will present at the inaugural Cell Therapy for Autoimmune Disease Summit taking place in Philadelphia and online Nov. 28-30, 2023.

Presentation details are as follows:

• Presentation title: Developing a Next Generation CAR-T for Autoimmune Disease
• Presentation date & time: Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 5 pm ET
• Presenter: Dr. Samuel Zhang, Chief Business Officer, Gracell Biotechnologies
• Location: Philadelphia & virtual

Dr. Zhang will present on the application of next-generation CAR-T cell therapies for treatment of autoimmune disease, highlighting insights from Gracell’s development of FasTCAR-enabled CD19/BCMA dual-targeting GC012F in SLE, and the translational research supporting the potential benefit of dual-targeting in maximizing depletion of disease-causing B-cells and plasma cells.

About GC012F

GC012F is Gracell’s FasTCAR-enabled BCMA/CD19 dual-targeting autologous CAR-T cell therapy, which aims to transform cancer and autoimmune disease treatment by driving fast, deep and durable responses along with improved safety profile. GC012F is currently being evaluated in clinical studies in multiple hematological cancers as well as autoimmune diseases, and has demonstrated a consistently strong efficacy and safety profile. Gracell has initiated a Phase 1b/2 trial evaluating GC012F for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma in the United States and a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in China is to be commenced imminently. Gracell has also launched an IIT evaluating GC012F for the treatment of refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (rSLE).

About FasTCAR

Introduced in 2017, FasTCAR is Gracell’s revolutionary next-day autologous CAR-T cell manufacturing platform. FasTCAR is designed to lead the next generation of therapy for cancer and autoimmune diseases, and improve outcomes for patients by enhancing effect, reducing costs, and enabling more patients to access critical CAR-T treatment. FasTCAR drastically shortens cell production from weeks to overnight, potentially reducing patient wait times and probability for their disease to progress. Furthermore, FasTCAR T-cells appear younger than traditional CAR-T cells, making them more proliferative and effective at killing cancer cells. In November 2022, FasTCAR was named the winner of the Biotech Innovation category of the 2022 Fierce Life Sciences Innovation Awards for its ability to address major industry obstacles.

About Gracell

Gracell Biotechnologies Inc. (“Gracell”) is a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and developing breakthrough cell therapies for the treatment of cancers and autoimmune diseases. Leveraging its innovative FasTCAR and TruUCAR technology platforms and SMART CART™ technology module, Gracell is developing a rich clinical-stage pipeline of multiple autologous and allogeneic product candidates with the potential to overcome major industry challenges that persist with conventional CAR-T therapies, including lengthy manufacturing time, suboptimal cell quality, high therapy cost, and lack of effective CAR-T therapies for solid tumors and autoimmune diseases. The lead asset BCMA/CD19 dual-targeting FasTCAR-T GC012F is currently being evaluated in clinical studies for the treatment of multiple myeloma, B-NHL and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). For more information on Gracell, please visit www.gracellbio.com. Follow @GracellBio on LinkedIn.

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