Independent Lab Confirms Immunogenicity and Protection with IMUNON’s IMNN-101 in a Live Virus Challenge Against SARS-CoV-2 Variant XBB.1.5

Murine Study by the Wistar Institute Builds Upon Favorable Results Previously Reported by IMUNON With its Prototype PlaCCine Vaccine Modality

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J., Feb. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IMUNON, Inc. (NASDAQ: IMNN), a clinical-stage drug-development company focused on developing non-viral DNA-mediated immunotherapy and next-generation vaccines, announces positive results from a live virus challenge study conducted for IMUNON by the Wistar Institute with IMNN-101 against the SARS-CoV-2 variant XBB.1.5. This study was conducted using the clinical vector that IMUNON intends to bring into its Phase 1 study during the second quarter and showed IMNN-101 immunogenicity and protective activity in a live viral mouse challenge.

The SARS-CoV-2 XBB.1.5 variant was declared as the variant of concern for the 2023-2024 vaccine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee. IMNN-101 is formulated with a synthetic DNA delivery system and administered by intramuscular injection.

IMUNON has reported that intramuscular administration of a single dose of IMNN-101 in mice produced IgG neutralizing antibody and T-cell responses. In an ongoing study, the IMNN-101-induced immune response was maintained for up to four months after vaccination. In a head-to-head comparison, the T-cell responses were substantially higher in PlaCCine-treated mice versus mRNA-treated mice. In addition, the vaccine candidate showed stability at refrigerated temperatures for at least four weeks.

The study conducted by the Wistar Institute confirmed that IMNN-101 elicited robust IgG and neutralizing antibody responses in a dose-dependent manner after a single injection. Challenging the mice with live virus 21 days after the second vaccination showed complete protection.

"As we prepare to launch a Phase 1/2 study with IMNN-101 this spring, our enthusiasm is bolstered by these findings that support our PlaCCine technology as an alternative to mRNA,” said Dr. Corinne Le Goff, president and chief executive officer of IMUNON. “Data continue to show comparable or superior protection from SARS-CoV-2 versus commercial mRNA vaccines, while favorable storage and durability benefits due to longer antigen expression support our belief that PlaCCine has compelling potential as a seasonal vaccine.”