University Medical Center Göttingen and Immunic Sign License Agreement Covering the Combination of DHODH Inhibitors and Nucleoside Analogues to Treat Viral Infections, Including COVID-19

Göttingen/New York, September 22, 2021

Preclinical Combination Data Suggests Extraordinary Synergy Between Certain DHODH Inhibitors and Nucleoside Analogues

MBM ScienceBridge GmbH today announced the successful negotiation and execution of a license agreement with the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) and Immunic, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of selective oral immunology therapies focused on treating chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The exclusive license covers the combination of DHODH inhibitors and nucleoside analogues to treat viral infections (COVID-19 and Influenza).

Preclinical research recently completed by UMG has shown that certain DHODH inhibitors, including Immunic’s lead asset, IMU-838, strongly synergize with selected nucleoside analogues to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro. “We are proud of the results of our preclinical work. These results identify a potential therapeutic strategy to inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in infected individuals. The synergistic antiviral effects of these combinations were astounding, and we are not aware of any other approaches which match this level of synergy against coronaviruses in vitro. We were very pleased with this license agreement and look forward to future results with these very promising combinations.”, stated Matthias Dobbelstein, M.D., Professor of Molecular Oncology, University of Göttingen. “Research by UMG and additional testing by ourselves revealed a remarkable degree of synergy between certain nucleoside analogues and DHODH inhibitors, including both our lead asset IMU-838 and other of our preclinical molecules,” added Daniel Vitt, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and President of Immunic. “Recalling IMU-838’s clinical activity against COVID-19 in our phase 2 CALVID-1 trial published earlier this year, and in the light of recent exacerbations in COVID-19, worldwide, we are very excited to have in-licensed this technology to incorporate into our pandemic preparedness effort.” Jens-Peter Horst, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of MBM ScienceBridge commented, “This agreement is exemplary for the successful transfer of innovative, academic achievements at UMG and has an exemplary potential for a high impact innovation in the context of current medical challenges.”

About Immunic, Inc.

Immunic, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMUX) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a pipeline of selective oral immunology therapies focused on treating chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The company is developing three small molecule products: its lead development program, IMU-838, a selective immune modulator that inhibits the intracellular metabolism of activated immune cells by blocking the enzyme DHODH and exhibits a host-based antiviral effect, is currently being developed as a treatment option for multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. IMU-935, a selective inverse agonist of the transcription factor RORγt, is targeted for development in psoriasis, castration-resistant prostate cancer and Guillain-Barré syndrome. IMU-856, which targets the restoration of the intestinal barrier function, is targeted for development in diseases involving bowel barrier dysfunction.

The University Medical Center Göttingen

The Georg-August-Universität Göttingen was founded in 1737. As an internationally renowned research university it offers excellent facilities for teaching and research, worldwide networks, as well as a great research tradition - as well as a comprehensive range of more than 130 course subjects. Since 2003, the body legally responsible for the University has been a Public Law Foundation. The University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) combines the Medical Faculty of the University with research and teaching and the University Hospital with patient care. The combination of these three areas under one roof is unique in southern Lower Saxony and entails numerous positive interactions, such as the swift transfer of innovative therapy options into patient care and education.

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