Moleculin Targets accelerated FDA approval of WP1732; Pursues Development for Ocular Tumors

HOUSTON, June 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Moleculin Biotech, Inc. (Nasdaq:MBRX) (“Moleculin” or the “Company”), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development of oncology drug candidates, all of which are based on license agreements with The University of Texas System on behalf of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, for the development of its STAT3 inhibitor, WP1732, for the treatment of ocular tumors.

“Today there are very limited options for the treatment of ocular tumors,” commented Walter Klemp, Chairman and CEO of Moleculin. “And, these tumors are believed to involve a significant upregulation of the activated form of STAT3.  It is important to note that, in addition to the ability of WP1732 to inhibit the proliferation and survival of cancer cells in preclinical studies, as STAT3 inhibitor, it is designed to potently block cancer stem cells and induce immune system function to overcome tumor-induced immune tolerance.  This could make WP1732 an ideal candidate for targeting these unique and highly metastatic tumors.”

Mr. Klemp continued: “We remain committed to targeting accelerated approval pathways for WP1732 by focusing on significant unmet needs.  This includes niche indications like ocular tumors and AML, as well as high-profile indications like pancreatic cancer.”

About Moleculin Biotech, Inc.

Moleculin Biotech, Inc. is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development f oncology drug candidates, all of which are based on discoveries made at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Our clinical stage drugs are Annamycin, an anthracycline designed to avoid multidrug resistance mechanisms with little to no cardiotoxicity being studied for the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia, more commonly referred to as AML, and WP1066, an immuno-stimulating STAT3 inhibitor targeting brain tumors, pancreatic cancer and AML. We are also engaged in preclinical development of additional drug candidates, including additional STAT3 inhibitors and compounds targeting the metabolism of tumors.

For more information about the Company, please visit http://www.moleculin.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, the ability of WP1732 to demonstrate safety and efficacy in the treatment of ocular tumors, AML, pancreatic and other cancers and the ability of WP1732 to qualify for an accelerated approval pathway.  These statements relate to future events, future expectations, plans and prospects. Although Moleculin Biotech believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, expectations may prove to have been materially different from the results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Moleculin Biotech has attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including ”believes,” ”estimates,” ”anticipates,” ”expects,” ”plans,” ”projects,” ”intends,” ”potential,” ”may,” ”could,” ”might,” ”will,” ”should,” ”approximately” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including those discussed under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our most recently filed Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and updated from time to time in our Form 10-Q filings and in our other public filings with the SEC.  Any forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of its date. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after its date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Contacts
Joe Dorame, Robert Blum or Joe Diaz
Lytham Partners, LLC
602-889-9700
mbrx@lythampartners.com

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