Genprex receives the primary “License of the 12 months” award from the Institute of Innovation on the College of Pittsburgh for recognizing the advances made within the gene remedy program in diabetes

Austin, Texas – (BUSINESS WIRE) – Genprex, Inc. (“Genprex” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GNPX), a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on developing life-changing therapies for patients with cancer and diabetes, today announced that the company did so was selected to receive the first License of the Year award from the University of Pittsburgh Innovation Institute (UPII) in recognition of the progress made with the University of Pittsburgh license in advancing its gene therapy for diabetes.

In February 2020, Genprex signed an exclusive license agreement with the University of Pittsburgh for an innovative gene therapy technology developed by lead researcher George Gittes, MD, at the University of Pittsbugh Medical Center’s Children’s Hospital (“UPMC”) Rangos Research Center. The candidate for diabetes gene therapy evaluated in preclinical studies, GPX-002, reprograms alpha cells in the pancreas into functional beta-like cells, which replenishes insulin levels and has the potential to cure the disease. The novel infusion takes place using an endoscopic procedure in which Pdx1 and MafA genes are delivered to the pancreas. The genes express proteins that convert alpha cells in the pancreas into functional beta-like cells that can produce insulin but are different from beta cells enough to evade the body’s immune system.

“We thank the UPII for recognizing the groundbreaking work of Dr. George Gittes and his team at the Rangos Research Center at UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, whose efforts have spawned this highly innovative therapeutic approach to the treatment of diabetes that could replace the need for insulin replacement therapy and ultimately lead to a cure for this devastating disease of which umpteen Millions of people around the world are affected, “said Rodney Varner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Genprex. “We are honored to receive this recognition considering how much cutting edge technology has come from this prestigious university and research center. We thank UPII for conferring this award on our gene therapy license with Dr. Gittes and the Rangos Research Center and welcome them for the groundbreaking gene therapy research being carried out at this prestigious institution. ”

The “Celebration of Innovation” awards ceremony will take place virtually on April 22, 2021 on the Pitt Innovation Institute YouTube channel at 4:30 p.m. ET.

GPX-002 was tested in vivo in mice and non-human primates. In studies on non-obese diabetic mice, a model for type 1 autoimmune diabetes, the gene therapy approach restored normal blood sugar levels over a longer period of time, typically around four months. According to the researchers, the duration of restored blood sugar levels in mice could potentially carry over to decades in humans. If successful, this gene therapy could eliminate the need for insulin replacement therapy for diabetics. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, 34.2 million Americans, or approximately 10.5% of the population, have diabetes.

About Genprex, Inc.

Genprex, Inc. is a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on developing life-changing therapies for patients with cancer and diabetes. Genprex technologies are designed to deliver genes to fight disease and provide new therapies to large cancer and diabetes patient populations who currently have limited treatment options. Genprex works with world-class institutions and employees to develop drug candidates that expand the gene therapy pipeline and offer novel treatment approaches. The company’s lead product candidate, REQORSA ™ (Quarate Eye Ocean Plasmid), is currently being evaluated for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). REQORSA has a multimodal mechanism of action that has been shown to disrupt the cell signaling pathways that cause cancer cells to replicate and proliferate. Re-establishing the pathways for apoptosis or programmed cell death in cancer cells; and modulate the immune response against cancer cells. REQORSA has also been shown to block mechanisms that create drug resistance. In January 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration approved REQORSA for NSCLC in combination therapy with Tagstrao® (osimertinib) from AstraZeneca for patients with EFGR mutations whose tumors had progressed after treatment with Tagrisso.

For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.genprex.com or follow Genprex on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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The 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. These forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs, expectations and expectations of management are not guarantees of performance and are not guaranteed are subject to considerable risks and uncertainties. Therefore, these forward-looking statements should be considered in light of several important factors, including those set out in Genprex reports that you should review from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the statements under “Item 1A – Risk Factors ”in the Genprex Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Because forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about: the timing and success of Genprex’s clinical trials and regulatory approvals; the effects of Genprex’s product candidates alone and in combination with other therapies on cancer and diabetes; Genprex’s future growth and financial condition; Genprex’s commercial and strategic partnerships, including expanding the manufacturing of its product candidates; and the Genprex intellectual property and licenses.

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