Positive Clinical Data on Biomarkers in Patients Receiving Reqorsa® Gene Therapy To Be Released at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting
AUSTIN, Texas, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 its research collaborators' abstract has been selected for publication at the upcoming 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting taking place May 29 – June 2, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. The abstract details positive clinical data from studies of predictive biomarkers in patients receiving its lead drug candidate, Reqorsa® Gene Therapy (quaratusugene ozeplasmid), for the treatment of lung cancer.
"We are pleased to be selected for publication at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting, one of the leading medical meetings for physicians and oncology professionals caring for people with cancer," said Ryan Confer, President and Chief Executive Officer at Genprex. "We are also excited to share our latest research on predictive biomarkers that may help enrich our lung cancer clinical trials. We believe this research may help predict patient response to REQORSA treatment, which could lead to improved patient outcomes."
The featured Genprex-supported abstract at ASCO 2026:
Title: "Predictive biomarkers for PFS in patients receiving quaratusugene ozeplasmid"
Abstract Number: e15184
About Reqorsa® Gene Therapy
REQORSA® Gene Therapy (quaratusugene ozeplasmid) decreases tumor glucose metabolism, interrupts cell signaling pathways that cause replication and proliferation of cancer cells, targets and kills cancer cells, and stimulates the natural immune responses against cancer. It re-expresses TUSC2 protein in the cell and also increases the anti-tumor immune cell population and down-regulates PD-L1, thereby potentially boosting the immune response to cancer.
REQORSA consists of a TUSC2 gene expressing plasmid encapsulated in non-viral lipid-based nanoparticles in a lipoplex form, which has a positive charge. REQORSA is designed to deliver the functioning TUSC2 gene to cancer cells while minimizing uptake by normal tissue. REQORSA is injected intravenously and specifically targets cancer cells. Cancer cells have elevated metabolism compared to healthy cells and as a result, are negatively charged compared to healthy cells, which are generally charge neutral. Thus, there is an electrostatic attraction of REQORSA to cancer cells. Cancers also have a leaky vasculature, so REQORSA leaks out of the blood vessels and can be taken up by cancer cells, which have a greater rate of pinocytosis (uptake of extracellular material) than normal cells. Laboratory studies conducted at MD Anderson show that the uptake of TUSC2 in tumor cells in vitro after REQORSA treatment was 10 to 33 times the uptake in normal cells. Biopsies in three patients with NSCLC treated with REQORSA show major increases in TUSC2 protein expression in the tumor cells one day after REQORSA administration. We believe that REQORSA is the first systemic gene therapy to be used for cancer in humans.
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's technologies are designed to administer disease-fighting genes to provide new therapies for large patient populations with cancer and diabetes who currently have limited treatment options. Genprex works with world-class institutions and collaborators to develop drug candidates to further its pipeline of gene therapies in order to provide novel treatment approaches. Genprex's oncology program utilizes its systemic, non-viral Oncoprex® Delivery System which encapsulates the gene-expressing plasmids using lipid-based nanoparticles in a lipoplex form. The resultant product is administered intravenously, where it is taken up by tumor cells that then express tumor suppressor proteins that were deficient in the tumor. The Company's lead product candidate, Reqorsa® Gene Therapy (quaratusugene ozeplasmid), is being evaluated in two clinical trials as a treatment for NSCLC and SCLC. Each of Genprex's lung cancer clinical programs has received a Fast Track Designation from the FDA for the treatment of that patient population, and Genprex's SCLC program has received an FDA Orphan Drug Designation. Genprex's diabetes gene therapy approach is comprised of a novel infusion process that uses an AAV vector to deliver Pdx1 and MafA genes directly to the pancreas. In models of Type 1 diabetes, GPX-002 transforms alpha cells in the pancreas into functional beta-like cells, which can produce insulin but may be distinct enough from beta cells to evade the body's immune system. In a similar approach for Type 2 diabetes, where autoimmunity is not at play, GPX-002 is believed to rejuvenate and replenish exhausted beta cells.
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Cautionary Language Concerning 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. These forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of management, are not guarantees of performance and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. These forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various important factors, including those set forth in Genprex's reports that it files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission and which you should review, including those statements under "Item 1A – Risk Factors" in Genprex's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Because forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, 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: Genprex's ability to advance the clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization of its product candidates in accordance with projected timelines and specifications; the timing and success of Genprex's clinical trials, its intended regulatory submissions and any resulting regulatory approvals; the effect of Genprex's product candidates, alone and in combination with other therapies, on cancer and diabetes; Genprex's future growth and financial status, including Genprex's ability to maintain compliance with the continued listing requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market and to continue as a going concern and to obtain capital to meet its long-term liquidity needs on acceptable terms, or at all; Genprex's commercial and strategic partnerships, including those with its third party vendors, suppliers and manufacturers and their ability to successfully perform and scale up the manufacture of its product candidates; Genprex's intellectual property and licenses; and Genprex's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry and markets in which it operates.
These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as predictions of future events and Genprex cannot assure you that the events or circumstances discussed or reflected in these statements will be achieved or will occur. If such forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. You should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by Genprex or any other person that Genprex will achieve its objectives and plans in any specified timeframe, or at all. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Genprex disclaims any obligation to publicly update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.
Genprex, Inc.
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