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EQ102 selectively blocks IL-15 and IL-21 signaling while preserving signaling of other gamma chain family members Data suggest that selective blockade of IL-15 and IL-21 inhibits the synergistic signaling that mediates NK and T cell responses in multiple immune disorders including celiac disease LA JOLLA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Equillium, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQ), a clinical-stage biotechnology company leveraging a deep understanding of immunobiology to develop novel therapeutics to treat severe autoimmune and inflammatory disorders with high unmet medical need, today announced a poster was presented over the weekend at IMMUNOLOGY2023, the annual meeting of The American Association of Immunologists. The meetings are taking place at the Walter E. Washington Convention center in Washington, DC, May 11 – 15. “We know that signaling of IL-15 and IL-21 is important in driving T and NK cell responses and that each promote cytolytic activity and interferon gamma production, but that blocking only one of these cytokines is unlikely to improve disease outcome,” said Dr. Cherie Ng, vice president of research at Equillium. “Equillium is developing EQ102 to selectively and synergistically block both IL-15 and IL-21 signaling, without affecting other gamma chain family members. We believe this selective blockade could be effective in treating celiac disease, known to be driven by elevated levels of IL-15 and IL-21 that drive the T and B cell responses culminating in tissue damage in these patients.” Details of EQ102 Data Presented Title: γc receptor antagonist, EQ102, prevents the NK and T cell-mediated responses driven by IL-15 and IL-21 Presenting Author: Phoi Tiet, Senior Research Associate, Equillium, Inc. Presentation Type: Poster Session Poster Number: P854 Session Title: Molecular Mechanisms of Cytokine Function Key Highlights, Summaries & Conclusions from Presentation: Synergistic signaling of IL-15 and IL-21 is important in driving pathogenic T and NK cell responses in multiple inflammatory diseases. IL-15 and IL-21 each promote cytolytic activity and IFNγ production but can also synergistically enhance the function of other cytotoxic cytokines. Consequently, blockade of only IL-15 or only IL-21 is not likely to improve disease outcome in pathologic environments. EQ102 is a multi-cytokine inhibitor that selectively blocks IL-15 and IL-21 signaling while preserving signaling of other γc family members. Co-stimulation of IL-15 and IL-21 enhanced proliferation, activation, and IFNγ, Granzyme A, Granzyme B and Perforin production above single cytokine conditions and EQ102 treatment effectively inhibits the IL-15/IL-21 co-stimulatory cytolytic responses of these cell populations. Results suggest that selective blockade of IL-15 and IL-21 by EQ102 inhibits the synergistic signaling that mediates NK and T cell responses in multiple immune disorders. EQ102 has been shown to inhibit both IL-15 and IL-21 induced signaling pathways in celiac patient-derived intraepithelial cytotoxic T-Lymphocytes and key genes for tissue destruction in patient-derived organoid cultures. Similarly, in pre-clinical studies, EQ102 has demonstrated the prevention of intestinal tissue damage in a humanized mouse model of gastrointestinal inflammation. About Multi-Cytokine Platform and EQ101 & EQ102 Our proprietary multi-cytokine platform generates rationally designed composite peptides that selectively block key cytokines at the shared receptor level targeting pathogenic cytokine redundancies and synergies while preserving non-pathogenic signaling. This approach is expected to avoid the broad immuno-suppression and off-target safety liabilities that may be associated with other therapeutic classes, such as Janus kinase inhibitors. Many immune-mediated diseases are driven by the same combination of dysregulated cytokines, and we believe identifying the key cytokines for these diseases will allow us to target and develop customized treatment strategies for multiple autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Current platform assets include EQ101, a first-in-class, selective, tri-specific inhibitor of IL-2, IL-9 and IL-15, and EQ102, a first-in-class, selective, bi-specific inhibitor of IL-15 and IL-21. About Equillium Equillium is a clinical-stage biotechnology company leveraging a deep understanding of immunobiology to develop novel therapeutics to treat severe autoimmune and inflammatory disorders with high unmet medical need. The company’s pipeline consists of the following novel first-in-class immunomodulatory assets targeting immuno-inflammatory pathways. EQ101: a tri-specific cytokine inhibitor that selectively targets IL-2, IL-9, and IL-15; currently under evaluation in a Phase 2 proof-of-concept clinical study of patients with alopecia areata. EQ102: a bi-specific cytokine inhibitor that selectively targets IL-15 and IL-21; currently under evaluation in a Phase 1 first-in-human clinical study to include healthy volunteers and celiac disease patients. Itolizumab: a monoclonal antibody that targets the CD6-ALCAM signaling pathway which plays a central role in the modulation of effector T cells; currently under evaluation in a Phase 3 clinical study of patients with acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) and a Phase 1b clinical study of patients with lupus/lupus nephritis. Equillium acquired rights to itolizumab through an exclusive partnership with Biocon Limited and has entered a strategic partnership with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. for the development and commercialization of itolizumab under an option and asset purchase agreement. For more information, visit . Forward Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe", “could”, “continue”, "expect", "estimate", “may”, "plan", "outlook", “future” and "project" and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of Equillium’s control, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to statements regarding the benefit of treating patients with celiac disease with EQ102 and Equillium’s plans for developing EQ102. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: Equillium’s ability to execute its plans and strategies; risks related to performing clinical studies; whether the results from clinical studies will validate and support the safety and efficacy of Equillium’s product candidates. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully under the caption "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in Equillium's filings and reports, which may be accessed for free by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at and on Equillium’s website under the heading “Investors.” Investors should take such risks into account and should not rely on forward-looking statements when making investment decisions. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Equillium undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Surface Oncology (Nasdaq: SURF), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing next-generation immunotherapies that target the tumor microenvironment, today announced the presentation of new preclinical data for SRF114, a fully human anti-CCR8 antibody, at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2023 in Orlando, Florida. The data will be presented in a poster session (abstract #5125) being held today. “We are highly encouraged by these new preclinical data which indicate that therapeutic depletion of CCR8 positive tumor infiltrating Tregs results in robust anti-tumorigenic activity in both checkpoint inhibition-resistant and checkpoint inhibition-susceptible tumor models,” said Vito Palombella, PhD, chief scientific officer, Surface Oncology. “These data bolster our belief that SRF114 holds the potential to become a best-in-class anti-CCR8 treatment and further support our ongoing Phase 1 clinical investigation of SRF114 in patients with advanced solid tumors.” Summary of key data In human CCR8 knock-in mice, SRF114, a fully human antibody targeting human CCR8, conferred robust anti-tumor activity and reshaped the tumor microenvironment towards a proinflammatory milieu. In different in vivo models, SRF114 monotherapy or treatment with a murine surrogate antibody promoted expansion of CD8+ effector T cells and increased the production of pro-inflammatory molecules including IFNγ, TNFα, and granzyme A in a checkpoint-resistant tumor model. Anti-CCR8 therapy resulted in depletion of tumor Tregs without impacting peripheral lymphoid Treg cell populations and led to increases in the levels of co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 in a subset of tumor myeloid cells. Anti-CCR8 and anti-PD-1 combination therapy increased tumor immune cell infiltration, cytokine production and improved overall survival in a checkpoint inhibitor resistant melanoma model. Poster Session Information Title: Depletion of CCR8+ tumor Treg cells with SRF114 or anti-CCR8 therapy promotes robust antitumor activity and reshapes the tumor microenvironment toward a more pro-inflammatory milieu Abstract number: 5125 Session category: Immunology Session title: Combination Immunotherapies 2 Session date and time: Tuesday, April 18, 2023, from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET A copy of the poster will be available on the Posters & Publications page of the company’s website following the presentation. About SRF114 SRF114 is a fully human, afucosylated anti-CCR8 antibody designed to preferentially deplete CCR8+ Treg cells within the tumor microenvironment. In preclinical studies, Surface Oncology has shown that SRF114 induces antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and/or antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) pathways to deplete intratumoral Treg cells. In addition, SRF114 reduced tumor growth in murine models. These findings support the advancement of SRF114 as a therapeutic candidate that holds the potential to drive anti-tumor immunity in patients. About Surface Oncology Surface Oncology is an immuno-oncology company developing next-generation antibody therapies focused on the tumor microenvironment. Its pipeline includes two wholly-owned programs; SRF388, a Phase 2 program which targets IL-27, and SRF114 which selectively depletes regulatory T cells in the tumor microenvironment via targeting CCR8. In addition, Surface has two partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies: a collaboration with Novartis targeting CD73 (NZV930; Phase 1) and a collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline targeting PVRIG (GSK4381562, formerly SRF813; Phase 1). Surface’s novel, investigational cancer immunotherapies are designed to achieve a clinically meaningful and sustained anti-tumor response and may be used alone or in combination with other therapies. For more information, please visit . Contact Scott Young Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications +1 617 865 3250 syoung@surfaceoncology.com

NEEDHAM, Mass., Nov. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Candel Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CADL), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel viral immunotherapies, today announced presentation of late-breaking data from a phase 1 mechanistic clinical trial of CAN-2409, Candel’s lead viral immunotherapy in development, in combination with nivolumab and standard of care treatment in patients with high-grade glioma. Data were presented at the 37th Annual Meeting of Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) today in Boston. In the trial involving 35 evaluable patients, extensive biomarker analyses demonstrated that the combination of CAN-2409 and nivolumab resulted in a statistically significant expansion of activated tumor-fighting CD4+ and CD8+ T cells effector cells as well as decreased markers of exhaustion on effector cells. Proteomic analysis by OLINK revealed an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interferon-gamma, the chemokines CXCL9/10 and CXCL11, MCP-1, MCP-3, and granzyme A. Systemic immune activation was observed after the single administration of CAN-2409, prior to initiation of nivolumab (week 3 post treatment). Median overall survival (mOS) for patients with methylated MGMT promoter was 30.6 months for those who underwent gross total resection (GTR) (n=10) and 12.6 months for those who underwent sub-total resection (STR) (n=5). mOS for patients with unmethylated MGMT was 13.2 months (GTR) (n=16) and 15.9 months (STR) (n=4), respectively. “We are encouraged to see strong systemic immune activation after a single administration of CAN-2409 to the resection bed during neurosurgical removal of the tumor combined with nivolumab treatment in one of the most treatment-resistant cancers, high-grade glioma, which is characterized by a highly immunosuppressive microenvironment,” said Paul Peter Tak, MD, PhD, FMedSci, President and Chief Executive Officer of Candel Therapeutics. “The data support the potential therapeutic synergies between CAN-2409 in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors across various solid tumors.” Details on the oral presentation at SITC are as follows: Oral Presentation Title: First efficacy and multi-omic analysis data from phase 1 clinical trial of oncolytic viral immunotherapy with CAN-2409 + valacyclovir in combination with nivolumab and standard of care in newly diagnosed high-grade glioma Presenter: Patrick Y. Wen, MD, Director, Cancer for Neuro-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Professor, Neurology, Harvard Medical School; Principal Investigator for Candel Therapeutics Abstract Session: Late-Breaking 204 Session Date and Time: Friday, November 11, 2022, at 11:25 am ET Location: Hall B2, Omni Boston Hotel, Boston, MA or Virtual For more information on the clinical trial please visit: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03576612?term=candel&draw=3 About CAN-2409 CAN-2409, Candel’s most advanced viral immunotherapy candidate, is a replication-defective adenovirus that delivers the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) gene to cancer cells. HSV-tk is an enzyme that locally converts orally administered valacyclovir into a toxic metabolite that kills nearby cancer cells. The intra-tumoral administration results in the release of tumor-specific neoantigens in the microenvironment. At the same time, the adenoviral serotype 5 capsid protein elicits a strong pro-inflammatory signal in the tumor microenvironment. This creates the optimal conditions to induce a specific CD8+ T cell mediated response against the injected tumor and uninjected distant metastases for broad anti-tumor activity. Because of its versatility, CAN-2409 has the potential to treat a broad range of solid tumors. Monotherapy activity as well as combination activity with standard of care radiotherapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors have previously been shown in several preclinical and clinical settings. Furthermore, CAN-2409 presents a favorable tolerability profile; more than 950 patients have been dosed to date, supporting the potential for combination with other therapeutic strategies without inordinate concern of overlapping adverse events. Currently, Candel is also evaluating the effects of treatment with CAN-2409 in non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and localized, non-metastatic prostate cancer in ongoing clinical trials. About Candel Therapeutics Candel is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on helping patients fight cancer with viral immunotherapies. Candel’s engineered viruses are designed to induce immunogenic cell death through direct viral-mediated cytotoxicity in cancer cells, thus releasing tumor neo-antigens while creating a pro-inflammatory microenvironment at the site of injection. Candel has established two viral immunotherapy platforms based on novel, genetically modified adenovirus and HSV constructs, respectively. CAN-2409 is the lead product candidate from the adenovirus platform and CAN-3110 is the lead product candidate from the HSV platform. Candel’s enLIGHTEN™ Discovery Platform is the first systematic, iterative HSV-based discovery platform leveraging human biology and advanced analytics to create new viral immunotherapies for solid tumors.