Presentations to highlight progress in development of IND candidates ZW220 and ZW251 based on Zymeworks'proprietary antibody-drug conjugate development platforms

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Zymeworks Inc. (Nasdaq: ZYME) a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a diverse pipeline of novel, multifunctional biotherapeutics to improve the standard of care for difficult-to-treat cancers and other diseases, today announced two presentations highlighting results from recent preclinical research for Zymeworks'antibody-drug conjugate candidates ZW220 and ZW251. Results will be presented at the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer-National Cancer Institute-American Association for Cancer Research (EORTC-NCI-AACR) Conference in Barcelona being held October 23-25, 2024.

"We are excited to share results from our preclinical studies, which highlight the activity of ZW220 in models of non-small cell lung, ovarian, and uterine cancers, as well as ZW251 in hepatocellular carcinoma models, both of which leverage our novel proprietary payload, ZD06519," said Paul Moore, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at Zymeworks. "We are encouraged by the progress of these next-generation ADC programs, which remain on track for IND filings in 2025, following the recent advancement of ZW171 and ZW191, which are currently recruiting for Phase 1 studies.”

Oral Presentation Details:

Title: ZW220, a NaPi2b-directed topoisomerase I inhibitor Antibody-Drug Conjugate, demonstrates compelling preclinical activity in NSCLC, ovarian and uterine cancer models, with a favorable toxicology profile in non-human primates
Session Title: Proffered Papers: New Drugs on the Horizon
Date: Friday, October 25
Time: 12:00-12:12 pm Central European Summer Time (CEST)

Poster Presentation Details:

Title: ZW251, a novel glypican-3-targeting antibody-drug conjugate bearing a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload demonstrates compelling preclinical activity in hepatocellular carcinoma models
Session Title: Antibody-Drug Conjugates
Presentation number: PB165

About Zymeworks Inc.

Zymeworks is a global clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel, multifunctional biotherapeutics. Zymeworks'mission is to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people impacted by difficult-to-treat cancers and other diseases. The Company’s complementary therapeutic platforms and fully integrated drug development engine provide the flexibility and compatibility to precisely engineer and develop highly differentiated antibody-based therapeutic candidates. Zymeworks engineered and developed zanidatamab, a HER2-targeted bispecific antibody using the Company’s proprietary Azymetric™ technology. Zymeworks has entered into separate agreements with BeiGene, Ltd. (BeiGene) and Jazz Pharmaceuticals Ireland Limited (Jazz), granting each exclusive rights to develop and commercialize zanidatamab in different territories. Zanidatamab is currently being evaluated in multiple global clinical trials as a potential best-in-class treatment for patients with HER2-expressing cancers. A Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking accelerated approval for zanidatamab as a treatment for previously-treated, unresectable, locally advanced, or metastatic HER2-positive biliary tract cancer (BTC) has been accepted and granted Priority Review. A BLA has also been accepted for review by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China. If approved, zanidatamab would be the first HER2-targeted treatment specifically approved for BTC in the U.S. and China. Zymeworks is rapidly advancing a robust pipeline of wholly-owned product candidates, leveraging its expertise in both antibody-drug conjugates and multispecific antibody therapeutics targeting novel pathways in areas of significant unmet medical need. Phase 1 studies for ZW171 and ZW191 are now actively recruiting at sites worldwide. In addition to Zymeworks'pipeline, its therapeutic platforms have been further leveraged through strategic partnerships with global biopharmaceutical companies. For information about Zymeworks, visit www.zymeworks.com and follow @ZymeworksInc on X.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” or information within the meaning of the applicable securities legislation, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to anticipated preclinical data presentations; the timing and status of ongoing and future studies and the release of data; expectations regarding future regulatory filings and approvals and the timing thereof; the timing of and results of interactions with regulators; anticipated regulatory submissions and the timing thereof; Zymeworks'preclinical pipeline; the anticipated benefits of the collaboration agreements with Jazz and BeiGene; the commercial potential of technology platforms and product candidates; Zymeworks'clinical development of its product candidates and enrollment in its clinical trials; the potential addressable market of zanidatamab; potential safety profile and therapeutic effects of zanidatamab and Zymeworks'other product candidates; the ability to advance product candidates into later stages of development; and other information that is not historical information. When used herein, words such as “plan”, “believe”, “expect”, “may”, “anticipate”, “potential”, “will”, “continues”, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements or information that refer to expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, performance or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking. All forward-looking statements are based upon Zymeworks'current expectations and various assumptions. Zymeworks believes there is a reasonable basis for its expectations and beliefs, but they are inherently uncertain. Zymeworks may not realize its expectations, and its beliefs may not prove correct. Actual results could differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: future clinical trials may not demonstrate safety and efficacy of any of Zymeworks'or its collaborators'product candidates; clinical trials may not demonstrate safety and efficacy of any of Zymeworks'or its collaborators'product candidates; any of Zymeworks'or its partners'product candidates may fail in development, may not receive required regulatory approvals, or may be delayed to a point where they are not commercially viable; regulatory agencies may impose additional requirements or delay the initiation of clinical trials; the impact of pandemics and other health crises on Zymeworks'business, research and clinical development plans and timelines and results of operations, including impact on its clinical trial sites, collaborators, and contractors who act for or on Zymeworks'behalf; the impact of new or changing laws and regulations; market conditions; inability to maintain or enter into new partnerships or strategic collaborations; and the factors described under “Risk Factors” in Zymeworks'quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (copies of which may be obtained at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com).

Although Zymeworks believes that such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance they will prove to be correct. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The above assumptions, risks and uncertainties are not exhaustive. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as may be required by law, Zymeworks undertakes no obligation to update, republish, or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or circumstances, or to reflect the occurrences of unanticipated events.

Contacts:

Investor Inquiries:
Shrinal Inamdar
Director, Investor Relations
(604) 678-1388
ir@zymeworks.com 

Media Inquiries:
Diana Papove
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
(604) 678-1388
media@zymeworks.com