AUSTIN, Texas - Genprex , Inc. (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:GNPX), a gene therapy company in the clinical stage, has revealed that its lead drug candidate, Reqorsa® Gene Therapy, has shown potential in modulating immune responses in cancer, according to preclinical data. On Monday (NASDAQ:MNDY), collaborators from Meharry Medical (TASE:PMCN) College will present their findings at the 39th Annual Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer Meeting in Houston, Texas.
The study examined the role of the tumor suppressor gene TUSC2 in immune responses against cancer. Researchers compared immune cells from TUSC2 Knock Out (KO) and TUSC2 Wild Type (WT) mice, focusing on regulatory T cells, cytotoxic T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. When TUSC2 KO mice with metastatic lung cancer were treated with TUSC2-expressing lipoparticles (REQORSA), results showed a reduction in tumor growth, a decrease in regulatory T cells, and an increase in cytotoxic T cells and NK cells, along with a rise in Granzyme B expression, which is associated with immune response against tumors.
Genprex's President and CEO, Ryan Confer, expressed optimism about the research, emphasizing the therapeutic potential of REQORSA for various cancers. REQORSA utilizes a non-viral delivery system to target cancer cells specifically and has been designed to minimize uptake by normal tissue. The uptake of TUSC2 in tumor cells was significantly higher compared to normal cells in laboratory studies conducted at MD Anderson.
The poster detailing the research will be available on Genprex's website following the conference. Genprex continues to develop gene therapies for cancer and diabetes, with its lead product candidate, Reqorsa® Gene Therapy, currently undergoing clinical trials for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), both of which have received FDA Fast Track Designation.
Investors and shareholders can stay informed about Genprex's developments by registering for email alerts on the company's website. This article is based on a press release statement.
In other recent news, Genprex, Inc. has regained compliance with Nasdaq's minimum bid price requirement, resolving a previously reported non-compliance issue. The Texas-based pharmaceutical company has also reported positive preclinical results for its lead drug candidate, Reqorsa® Gene Therapy, demonstrating potential in treating various forms of cancer resistant to other therapies. In collaboration with the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center and ALK Positive, Genprex is exploring the effectiveness of Reqorsa® in combination with ALK-inhibitors for patients with ALK-EML4 positive translocated lung cancer.
The company has also made significant progress in its Acclaim-1 and Acclaim-3 clinical trials for lung cancer treatments, with favorable safety results leading to the endorsement of the highest dose group in the Acclaim-3 trial. Despite facing potential delisting from Nasdaq, Genprex continues to advance its pharmaceutical preparations in the biotechnology sector.
The analyst firm H.C. Wainwright has initiated coverage of Genprex's stock with a Buy rating. Furthermore, the company plans to spin off its diabetes gene therapy program into a new subsidiary, NewCo, to focus on the development of GPX-002, a gene therapy drug candidate for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. These developments reflect Genprex's ongoing commitment to advancing gene therapies for large patient populations with limited treatment options.
InvestingPro Insights
As Genprex (NASDAQ: GNPX) continues to make strides in its gene therapy research, particularly with its lead candidate Reqorsa®, investors may find additional context from recent financial data and market trends illuminating.
According to InvestingPro data, Genprex's market capitalization stands at a modest $7.34 million, reflecting its status as a clinical-stage company. The stock has experienced significant volatility, with a strong return of 476.16% over the last month, contrasting sharply with an 84.17% decline over the past year. This recent surge could be attributed to growing interest in the company's potential breakthroughs, such as the preclinical data presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer Meeting.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Genprex holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, which is crucial for a company in the resource-intensive clinical trial phase. This financial position may provide some reassurance to investors about the company's ability to fund its ongoing research and development efforts.
However, it's important to note that Genprex is not currently profitable, with an adjusted operating income of -$26.29 million over the last twelve months. This is typical for biotech companies in the development stage, where significant investments are made before potential commercialization.
For those interested in a deeper analysis, InvestingPro offers 11 additional tips for Genprex, providing a more comprehensive view of the company's financial health and market position.
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