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BRANFORD, Conn. and NEW YORK, April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EvolveImmune Therapeutics, an immuno-oncology company developing next-generation T cell engager biotherapeutics to overcome cancer cell resistance to current immunotherapies, today announced a translational research collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) to investigate the expression of a novel tumor target, UL Binding Protein 2 (ULBP2) in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The collaboration will leverage MSK’s world-leading capabilities in translational medicine with EvolveImmune’s expertise in T cell engager immunobiology, to accelerate the development of treatment options that address unmet medical needs in urothelial malignancies. EvolveImmune’s proprietary EVOLVE platform is designed to deliver potent, selective, and integrated T cell co-stimulation through the CD2 receptor to amplify and sustain the tumor killing capacity of T cells. This approach aims to bypass low tumor immunogenicity, conditionally activate adaptive immunity and reduce T cell dysfunction, to overcome therapeutic challenges in solid and hematologic tumors. The collaboration with MSK will generate unique observations to inform the clinical development of EVOLVE104, EvolveImmune’s first-in-class ULBP2-targeted T cell engager asset. “We are excited to collaborate with the experts at MSK, who bring unparalleled expertise in the treatment and understanding of bladder cancer to our research,” said Jay Fine, Ph.D., president of Research & Development at EvolveImmune Therapeutics. “We anticipate that insights from this collaboration will play an important role in shaping the clinical program for EVOLVE104, which remains on track to begin in 2025.” “We look forward to working with EvolveImmune to deepen our understanding of tumor-intrinsic factors that shape the immune landscape of urothelial cancer,” said David Aggen, MD, PhD, Genitourinary Medical Oncologist & Cellular Therapist at MSK. “With this collaboration, we aim to identify new therapeutic vulnerabilities and molecular drivers of resistance to T cell-redirected immunotherapies, optimize patient selection and improve outcomes for urothelial and bladder cancer patients.” About EvolveImmune Therapeutics EvolveImmune Therapeutics, Inc. is an immuno-oncology company developing first-in-category, trispecific T cell engagers derived from its EVOLVE platform, which have been inspired by a generation of discoveries in T cell immunology. EVOLVE molecules leverage the power of integrated CD2 costimulation to overcome the therapeutic challenges of cancer cell resistance to current immunotherapies in a range of solid tumors and hematological cancers. First-in-human clinical trials with EVOLVE104 are anticipated to commence in 2025. For more information, please visit: www.evolveimmune.com. Contacts EvolveImmune Therapeutics Stephen Bloch, M.D. Chief Executive Officer 860-856-7104 info@evolveimmune.com Vida Strategic Partners (on behalf of EvolveImmune Therapeutics) Tim Brons (Media) 415-675-7402 tbrons@vidasp.com

Abcuro is earmarking a portion of new series C funds to prepare for a potential commercial launch of ulviprubart.\n Sanofi-backed Abcuro has secured $200 million in series C funds to power its anti-KLRG1 antibody through a phase 2/3 muscle disease trial ahead of a planned push to regulators.Abcuro is targeting KLRG1 to drive the depletion of cytotoxic T cells in autoimmune diseases. While other players in the space are targeting CD25, CD2, CD52 and ICOS with the same goal in mind, Abcuro has been betting on KLRG1 because expression is restricted to highly cytotoxic late-differentiated effector memory and effector T cells.The idea is that its anti-KLRG1 antibody ulviprubart, also known as ABC008, will deplete cells that drive autoimmune disease without affecting regulatory T cells and central memory T cells.Ulviprubart is currently in a phase 2/3 trial for inclusion body myositis (IBM), a muscle wasting disease that affects about 50,000 people across the U.S. and Europe. Abcuro has a lot riding on the study, with plans to file an approval application with the FDA if the study is a success when it reads out in the first half of 2026.To that end, the biotech is also earmarking a portion of the series C funds to prepare for a potential commercial launch of ulviprubart. Some more of the cash will be spent on expanding the company’s manufacturing capabilities.  The financing round was led by New Enterprise Associates, with new investor Foresite Capital joining a list of previous backers like Sanofi Ventures, RA Capital, Bain Capital Life Sciences, Redmile Group, Samsara BioCapital, Pontifax, Mass General Brigham Ventures, New Leaf Ventures and funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, to name a few.“Continued support from all of our investors in this latest financing round validates our vision for the potential that ulviprubart may have as a novel treatment for progressive and devastating diseases mediated by highly cytotoxic T cells, including inclusion body myositis,” Abcuro CEO Alex Martin said in a Feb. 12 release.IBM looks like a good proving ground for ulviprubart’s potential. The disease is driven by T-cell attacks on muscle fibers that lead to loss of hand function and ability to walk. In 2019, Steven Greenberg, M.D., a neurologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Abcuro founder, co-authored a paper that pointed to a link between KLRG1-expressing T cells and IBM.It led Mass General Brigham Ventures to team up with Sanofi Ventures to oversee a series A-1 round back in 2021 to build on Greenberg’s research. The biotech followed this up with a $155 million series B in 2023.As well as the later-stage study in IBM, the company is also overseeing a phase 1/2 clinical trial of ulviprubart in T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia.

Dr. Hege joins the Board as EvolveImmune prepares to enter the clinic in mid-2025 with EVOLVE104, its lead trispecific T cell engager with integrated CD2 T cell costimulationBRANFORD, Conn., Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EvolveImmune Therapeutics, an immunotherapy company developing first-in-category, multifunctional T Cell engager biotherapeutics to address unmet medical needs in a range of solid tumors and hematological cancers, today announced the appointment of Kristen Hege, M.D., to its Board of Directors. “Dr. Hege’s vast expertise and notable track record of successfully advancing novel cancer molecules from early stage through FDA approval will provide EvolveImmune with critical insights as we progress our portfolio assets through clinical development,” said Stephen Bloch, M.D., co-founder and CEO of EvolveImmune Therapeutics. “Her keen understanding of cancer immunotherapy development and the overall treatment landscape will be invaluable as we seek to fully exploit the potential of trispecific T cell engagers with integrated CD2 T cell costimulation to deliver clinically meaningful therapies to patients.” “While we have seen incredible results with cancer immunotherapy in recent years, it is critical to overcome the limitations of currently available immunotherapies in solid tumors,” noted Dr. Hege. “The unique platform that EvolveImmune Therapeutics has developed offers this opportunity, and I am excited to be able to participate in advancing the lead molecule, EVOLVE104 through clinical development.” Kristen M. Hege, M.D. Biography Kristen M. Hege, M.D. has nearly three decades of oncology translational and clinical leadership experience. As senior vice president, Early Clinical Development, Hematology, Oncology & Cell Therapy at Bristol Myers Squibb, Dr. Hege was responsible for advancing a pipeline of small molecules, biologics and cell therapies from first-in-human studies through clinical proof-of-concept. including leading BMS’s BCMA CAR T cell program (Abecma) from target identification through FDA approval. Prior to BMS, she held similar roles at Celgene and Cell Genesys. Dr. Hege spent more than two decades as part-time clinical faculty in the division of hematology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). In 2015, she was recognized by Fierce Biotech as one of the Top 12 Women in Biopharma, in 2019 by the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association as a Luminary, in 2021 by San Francisco Business Times as one of the most influential women in Bay Area business, and in 2022 by UCSD with the Duane Roth Career Achievement Award for advances in science and medicine. Her career path and long history with CAR T cell development was featured as one of 25 physicians and scientists recognized as part of the 25th anniversary celebration of Nature Medicine and by Forbes magazine in 2022 as one of 50 Women Over 50: Entrepreneurs in recognition of her leadership role in the development of Abecma. About EvolveImmune Therapeutics EvolveImmune Therapeutics, Inc. is an immuno-oncology company developing first-in-category, trispecific T cell engagers derived from its EVOLVE platform, which have been inspired by a generation of discoveries in T cell immunology. EVOLVE molecules leverage the power of integrated CD2 costimulation to overcome the therapeutic challenges of cancer cell resistance to current immunotherapies in a range of solid tumors and hematological cancers. First-in-human clinical trials with EVOLVE104 are anticipated to commence in 2025. Contacts Media: Eliza Schleifstein917-763-8106Eliza@schleifsteinpr.com Investors:Stephen Bloch, M.D., Chief Executive Officer860-856-7104info@evolveimmune.com