HOUSTON, Nov. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marker Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: MRKR), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company focusing on developing next-generation T cell-based immunotherapies for the treatment of hematological malignancies and solid tumors, today reported corporate updates and financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.

“As we approach the end of 2024, we continue to build momentum across our clinical and corporate programs,” said Juan Vera, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Marker Therapeutics. “During the third quarter, we made significant progress in our ongoing Phase 1 APOLLO study investigating MT‑601 in patients with lymphoma who have relapsed after anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy or where CAR-T cells are not an option. Enrollment is ongoing and we expect to be able to report preliminary safety and efficacy data by the end of this year. We, along with our study investigators, have been encouraged by the promising activity shown in this platform and look forward to continuing assessments from the trial.”

“We also recently strengthened our financial position with the receipt of two, $2 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  The non-dilutive funding will be used to support further development of MT-601 in patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma who have relapsed following anti-CD19 CAR-T cell therapy, as well as assist in funding the clinical investigation of MT‑601 in pancreatic cancer. We continue to make meaningful progress and remain focused on execution as we move our programs through the clinical trials,” added Dr. Vera.

PROGRAM UPDATES & EXPECTED MILESTONES

MT-601 (Lymphoma)

• Marker’s lead program is investigating MT-601 in the nationwide multicenter Phase 1 APOLLO study (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT05798897) in patients with lymphoma who have relapsed after anti-CD19 CAR-T cell therapy or where CAR-T cells are not an option.
• The Company previously reported that one of the Principal Investigators presented preliminary safety and efficacy with sustained objective responses observed in three study participants treated at City of Hope National Medical Center (Press Release, April 8, 2024). Treatment was well tolerated among all study participants with no observation of severe adverse effects such as immune effector cell associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS).
• All study participants continue to be observed for long-term treatment effects and durability of response.
• The Company is enrolling additional study participants in the Phase 1 APOLLO trial and expects to provide an update on safety and durability during the fourth quarter of 2024.
• Marker Therapeutics was awarded a $2 million grant from NIH Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) to support the clinical investigation of MT-601 in patients with lymphoma who have relapsed following anti-CD19 CAR-T cell therapy (Press Release, August 12, 2024).

MT-601 (Pancreatic)

• The Company was awarded a $2 million grant from NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program to support the clinical investigation of MT-601 in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.
• The Company expects to start the clinical program of MT-601 in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer in 2025.

MT-401-OTS (Acute Myeloid Leukemia or Myelodysplastic Syndrome)

• The Company previously secured non-dilutive funding to support the clinical investigation of MT‑401‑OTS in patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) or Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) and anticipates clinical program initiation during the first half of 2025.

THIRD QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Cash Position and Guidance: At September 30, 2024, Marker had cash and cash equivalents of $9 million. The Company believes that its existing cash and cash equivalents will fund its operating expenses into October 2025. This estimate is subject to the Company’s ability to effectively manage its costs and utilize drawdowns of available grant funds.

R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $3.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to $2.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 as a result of our increased clinical trial activity in the quarter.

G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $0.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to $1.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 reflecting the savings from the reorganization that was completed in late 2023.

Net Loss: Marker reported a net loss from continuing operations of $2.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to $3.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

About multiTAA-specific T cells

The multi-tumor associated antigen (multiTAA)-specific T cell platform is a novel, non-genetically modified cell therapy approach that selectively expands tumor-specific T cells from a patient's/donor’s blood capable of recognizing a broad range of tumor antigens. Unlike other T cell therapies, multiTAA-specific T cells allow the recognition of hundreds of different epitopes within up to six tumor-specific antigens, thereby reducing the possibility of tumor escape. Since multiTAA-specific T cells are not genetically engineered, Marker believes that its product candidates will be easier and less expensive to manufacture, with an improved safety profile, compared to current engineered T cell approaches, and may provide patients with meaningful clinical benefits.

About Marker Therapeutics, Inc.

Marker Therapeutics, Inc. is a Houston, TX-based clinical-stage immuno-oncology company specializing in the development of next-generation T cell-based immunotherapies for the treatment of hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Clinical trials that enrolled more than 200 patients across various hematological and solid tumor indications showed that the Company’s autologous and allogeneic multiTAA-specific T cell products were well tolerated and demonstrated durable clinical responses. Marker’s goal is to introduce novel T cell therapies to the market and improve patient outcomes. To achieve these objectives, the Company prioritizes the preservation of financial resources and focuses on operational excellence. Marker’s unique T cell platform is strengthened by non-dilutive funding from U.S. state and federal agencies supporting cancer research.

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Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this news release concerning the Company’s expectations, plans, business outlook or future performance, and any other statements concerning assumptions made or expectations as to any future events, conditions, performance or other matters, are “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, projections, outlook, analyses or current expectations concerning, among other things: our research, development and regulatory activities and expectations relating to our non-engineered multi-tumor antigen specific T cell therapies; the effectiveness of these programs or the possible range of application and potential curative effects and safety in the treatment of diseases;  and the timing, conduct and success of our clinical trials of our product candidates, including MT-601 for the treatment of patients with lymphoma. Forward-looking statements are by their nature subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in such statements. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to the risks set forth in the Company’s most recent Form 10-K, 10-Q and other SEC filings which are available through EDGAR at WWW.SEC.GOV. The Company assumes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release except as may be required by law.

Contacts
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Jonathan Nugent
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