MURA Mural Oncology PLC

Mural Oncology plc (Nasdaq: MURA), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing novel, investigational engineered cytokine therapies designed to address areas of unmet need for patients with a variety of cancers, today announced financial results for the first quarter of 2024 and provided a business update.

“We remain on track to share data readouts in the first half of next year from our two late-stage, potentially registrational studies of nemvaleukin. We are also excited about the potential of our less frequent dosing regimen of nemvaleukin that we are evaluating in a clinical trial as announced in March,” said Caroline Loew, Ph.D., CEO of Mural Oncology. “As we look to further strengthen our pipeline, we have made progress with our preclinical programs for interleukin-18 (IL-18) and IL-12. Both are targets that have generated a great deal of interest in the immuno-oncology space, and we are diligently working to make candidate nominations for each program. We continue to be well capitalized to achieve our key clinical readouts and are laser-focused on the delivery of our goals.”

Recent Corporate Highlights and Upcoming Milestones

• The company’s late-stage clinical trials remain on track, with details as follows: 
  • ARTISTRY-7 is a potentially registrational, phase 3 clinical trial evaluating nemvaleukin in combination with pembrolizumab compared to investigators’ choice of chemotherapy in approximately 448 patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Mural expects to report interim overall survival (OS) results based on approximately 75% of events in the first quarter of 2025. The company anticipates reporting final OS results in the second quarter of 2026. 
  • Cohort 2 of ARTISTRY-6 is a potentially registrational, phase 2 clinical trial evaluating nemvaleukin as a monotherapy in 90 patients with mucosal melanoma. The company expects to report top-line data results from cohort 2 of ARTISTRY-6 in the first half of 2025. 
  • Mural is evaluating a newly selected dose of less-frequent intravenous (LFIV) nemvaleukin in open-label cohorts of patients with cutaneous melanoma in ARTISTRY-6. The new dosing regimen is a shift from five daily infusions (days 1-5) to two infusions (days 1 and 8), per three-week cycle. The company expects preliminary data readouts in the monotherapy cohort in the first half of 2025, and in the combination cohort with pembrolizumab in the second half of 2025. 
  • The company looks forward to presenting data from ARTISTRY-3, an evaluation of the LFIV dosing of nemvaleukin, at the upcoming American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in June 2024.
• Mural presented IL-18 and IL-12 preclinical data for the first time at the American Association of Clinical Research (AACR) annual meeting in April 2024 that outlined the company’s novel approach to protein engineering. Both poster presentations are available at www.muraloncology.com/publications. 
  • IL-18 poster synopsis: Native IL-18 is a potent immune-stimulating cytokine, but its efficacy is blunted by IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP), a high affinity decoy receptor that binds to, and neutralizes, IL-18, thereby rendering it ineffective. Its potency is also limited by its short half-life. Mural’s IL-18 variant contains mutations designed to eliminate binding to IL-18BP while minimally impacting the native IL-18 structure. The company has also fused IL-18 to protein scaffolds to extend the half-life and increase IL-18’s exposure. Together, these may lead to a more durable immunological effect. 
  • IL-12 poster synopsis: Native IL-12 is a highly potent pro-inflammatory cytokine, but because of its very narrow therapeutic index, it can be toxic with systemic exposure. Mural’s IL-12 variant splits the molecule into two inactive monomers: IL12p35 and IL-12p40. These individual subunits are then separately fused to antibody fragments, which deliver and concentrate IL-12 specifically in the tumor microenvironment with the goal of limiting systemic exposure. 
  • Mural intends to nominate development candidates for these investigational engineered IL-18 and IL-12 cytokine therapies later this year.

Financial Results for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2024

• Cash Position: As of March 31, 2024, cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities were $231.7 million.
• R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $26.9 million for the first quarter of 2024 compared to $40.4 million for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in expenses was primarily related to decreased headcount compared to the headcount allocated to the company by the former parent prior to the separation, decreased spend on the ARTISTRY-1 and ARTISTRY-2 trials as activities related to the ARTISTRY-1 and ARTISTRY-2 trials wound down in 2023, and decreased manufacturing spend on other programs. These decreases were partially offset by increased spend on the ARTISTRY-7 trial related to increased enrollment and associated clinical trial expenses.
• G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $7.2 million for the first quarter of 2024 compared to $3.7 million for the first quarter of 2023. The increase in expenses was primarily due to increases in employee-related expenses and professional fees associated with operating as a standalone public company after the separation.
• Net Loss: Net loss was $30.9 million for the first quarter of 2024 compared to $46.5 million for the first quarter of 2023.

Financial Guidance

• The company reaffirms guidance that its cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities are expected to fund its operations into the fourth quarter of 2025.
• As noted in the 2023 year-end financial results press release, Mural anticipates reporting lower year-over-year operating expenses in 2024. Also, management forecasts higher operating expenses in 2024 versus 2025 due to the timing of clinical trial expenses.

About NemvaleukinNemvaleukin alfa (nemvaleukin) is a novel, engineered cytokine designed to leverage antitumor effects of the IL-2 pathway while mitigating its hallmark toxicities that limit its use. Nemvaleukin selectively binds to the intermediate-affinity IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) and is sterically occluded from binding to the high-affinity IL-2R. Because of this molecular design, nemvaleukin treatment leads to preferential expansion of antitumor CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells, with minimal expansion of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells. Nemvaleukin is currently being evaluated in two potentially registrational late-stage trials.

About Mural Oncology’s IL-18 ProgramIL-18 is a potent immune-stimulating cytokine, but its efficacy is blunted by IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP), a high affinity decoy receptor that binds to, and neutralizes, IL-18, thereby rendering it ineffective. Native IL-18’s potency is also limited by its short half-life. Mural Oncology’s novel approach to protein engineering is designed to mitigate these issues. First, Mural introduced mutations to IL-18 that eliminate binding to IL-18BP while minimally impacting the native IL-18 structure. Second, it fused IL-18 to protein scaffolds which extend the half-life and increase IL-18’s exposure. Together, these have demonstrated more durable immunological effect in preclinical studies. Mural intends to nominate a development candidate for its IL-18 program by the end of this year.

About Mural Oncology’s IL-12 ProgramNative IL-12 is a highly potent pro-inflammatory cytokine, but because of its very narrow therapeutic index, it can also be toxic with systemic exposure. To mitigate this hallmark toxicity, Mural, through its novel approach to protein engineering, split the IL-12p70 heterodimer into two inactive monomers: IL12p35 and IL-12p40. These individual subunits are then separately fused to antibody fragments and sequentially injected, which deliver and concentrate IL-12 specifically in the tumor microenvironment to limit systemic exposure. In preclinical studies, Mural’s engineered IL-12 achieved the desired reduction in serum while maintaining tumor concentrations providing the potential to reduce systemic toxicities. Mural intends to nominate a development candidate for its IL-12 program by the end of this year.

About Mural OncologyMural Oncology is leveraging its novel protein engineering platform to develop cytokine-based immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer. By combining our expertise in cytokine biology and immune cell modulation and our protein engineering platform, we are developing medicines to deliver meaningful and clinical benefits to people living with cancer. Our mission is to broaden the potential, and reach, of cytokine-based immunotherapies to improve the lives of patients. Our lead candidate, nemvaleukin, is currently in potentially registrational trials in mucosal melanoma and platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Mural Oncology has its registered office in Dublin, Ireland, and its primary facilities in Waltham, Mass. For more information, visit Mural Oncology’s website at www.muraloncology.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X.

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. Because such 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: the company’s pipeline and development programs, including the expected timing of clinical updates and candidate selection, the potential of the company’s product candidates and programs to address unmet medical needs, the continued progress of its pipeline and programs, the amount of operating expense to be incurred by the company in future periods and the sufficiency of its cash resources to fund its operations for the period anticipated. Any forward-looking statements in this statement are based on management’s current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include, among others, the inherent risks and uncertainties associated with competitive developments, preclinical development, clinical trials, recruitment of patients, product development activities and regulatory approval requirements; that preclinical or interim results and data from ongoing clinical studies of the company’s cytokine programs and product candidates may not be predictive of future or final results from such studies, results of future clinical studies or real-world results; future clinical trials or future stages of ongoing clinical trials may not be initiated or completed on time or at all; the company’s product candidates, including nemvaleukin, could be shown to be unsafe or ineffective; changes in the cost, scope and duration of development activities; the U.S. Food and Drug Administration may make adverse decisions regarding the company’s product candidates; the separation may adversely impact the company’s ability to attract or retain key personnel that support the company’s oncology business; and those other risks and uncertainties set forth in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024 and in subsequent filings the company may make with the SEC. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. The company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. However, the company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date of this press release, except as required by law.

Mural Oncology plc and SubsidiariesConsolidated Balance Sheets(in thousands)
		March 31,2024				December 31,2023
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	107,263			$	270,852
Marketable securities			124,411				—
Receivable from Former Parent			1,895				5,548
Prepaid expenses			5,239				150
Other current assets			620				787
Total current assets			239,428				277,337
Property and equipment, net			10,612				11,403
Right-of-use assets			11,418				12,747
Restricted cash			1,969				258
Other assets			77				—
TOTAL ASSETS		$	263,504			$	301,745
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable		$	1,567			$	5,973
Accrued expenses			13,524				16,946
Operating lease liabilities—short-term			6,156				6,098
Total current liabilities			21,247				29,017
Operating lease liabilities—long-term			7,330				8,911
Total liabilities			28,577				37,928
Preferred shares, nominal value $0.01; 50,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023; no shares issued or outstanding at March 31, 2024 or December 31, 2023			—				—
Ordinary shares, nominal value $0.01; 450,000,000 ordinary shares authorized at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023; 16,922,550 and 16,689,740 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively			169				167
Additional paid-in capital			296,606				294,507
Unrealized loss on marketable securities			(74	)			—
Accumulated deficit			(61,774	)			(30,857	)
Total equity			234,927				263,817
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY		$	263,504			$	301,745

Mural Oncology plc and SubsidiariesConsolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss(in thousands except share and per share amounts)
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2024				2023
Operating expenses
Research and development		$	26,868			$	40,410
General and administrative			7,165				3,746
Total operating expenses			34,033				44,156
Operating loss			(34,033	)			(44,156	)
Other income			3,116				—
Income tax provision			—				(2,311	)
Net loss		$	(30,917	)		$	(46,467	)
Other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized loss on marketable securities		$	(74	)		$	—
Other comprehensive loss			(74	)			—
Comprehensive loss		$	(30,991	)		$	(46,467	)
Net loss per ordinary share - basic and diluted		$	(1.84	)		$	(2.78	)
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding - basic and diluted			16,793,657				16,689,740

Investors:David Borah, CFAdavid.borah@muraloncology.com781-614-0060

Media:Katie Sullivankatie.sullivan@muraloncology.com781-614-0034