IMUNON Announces Six-Month Data Showing Durability of Protection for Next-Generation DNA Vaccine Platform in Phase 1 Clinical Trial in COVID-19

Company’s PlaCCine technology platform demonstrates better durability and other advantages compared to mRNA vaccines

Results further validate PlaCCine as a novel vaccine platform with potential applications in COVID-19 and other infectious diseases with epidemic implications

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J., May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IMUNON, Inc. (NASDAQ: IMNN), a clinical-stage company focused on developing non-viral DNA-mediated immunotherapies and evaluating an adaptation of the platform’s potential as a next-generation vaccine, today announced new data from its first Phase 1 proof-of-concept clinical trial of IMNN-101, an investigational DNA plasmid vaccine based on the Company’s proprietary PlaCCine technology platform, for protection against COVID-19. Results in 24 healthy volunteers demonstrated IMNN-101’s durability of protection at six months after a single dose targeting the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB1.5 spike antigen variant. IMNN-101 induced up to a 3-fold median increase in the serum neutralizing antibody (NAb) titers from baseline at six months, with initial evidence of a stronger immune response in two higher dose cohorts (2.0 mg and 1.0 mg) compared to a lower dose cohort (0.5 mg). The highest observed increase among the participating volunteers was 8-fold from baseline. IMNN-101 continues to be safe and well tolerated, with no serious adverse effects reported.

“It is very encouraging to see strong evidence supporting the favorable immunogenicity, durability and safety of IMNN-101 at six months in trial participants, all of whom were previously vaccinated or infected multiple times, further validating the significant potential of our PlaCCine technology platform to support development of an effective treatment for COVID-19, new variants and emerging pathogens with epidemic potential,” said Stacy Lindborg, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of IMUNON. “Our platform is designed to support development of vaccines with several competitive advantages, including vaccine stability at workable temperatures and ease of manufacturing compared to available mRNA vaccines. We are currently involved in discussions about the further development of our PlaCCine platform for prophylactic vaccines, which we hope will lead to a long-term strategic partnership to advance these promising technologies as efficiently as possible.”