UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
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| Item 7.01 | Regulation FD Disclosure. |
On November 28, 2022, Ikena Oncology, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing a next-generation mitogen-activated protein kinase (“MEK”)-RAF complex inhibitor, IK-595, as the Company’s first development candidate in the RAS pathway, as well as providing a corporate update. The Company also updated its corporate presentation. A copy of the press release and corporate presentation are attached as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K. The corporate presentation will also be available in the investor relations section of the Company’s website at https://www.ikenaoncology.com/.
The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K (including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2) shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
| Item 8.01 | Other Items. |
On November 28, 2022, the Company announced a next-generation MEK-RAF complex inhibitor, IK-595, has been nominated as the company’s first development candidate in the RAS pathway.
The RAS pathway is implicated in at least half a million new cancer diagnosis each year in the United States alone. Ikena aims to target the pathway on multiple levels, including preventing known resistance mechanisms to achieve deep and sustained responses. Ikena’s new development candidate, IK-595, traps MEK and RAF in an inactive complex, more completely inhibiting RAS signals than existing inhibitors. IK-595’s ability to complex CRAF, in particular, prevents a well-recognized signaling bypass mechanism that cancer cells employ to drive therapeutic resistance to other drugs in this class. In addition, trapping CRAF in an inactive complex prevents the kinase independent anti-apoptotic function in RAS and RAF mutant cancers, a mechanism that cannot be addressed with first generation MEK inhibitors or pan-RAF inhibitors. IK-595 is being developed as an oral therapy, with a half-life enabling a pharmacokinetic profile potentially superior to other drugs, with the goal of developing an optimal therapeutic window for patients. The company plans to submit an investigational new drug application (IND) for IK-595 to the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in the second half of 2023.
Development Highlights, Corporate Updates, and Upcoming Milestones
| • | Advancing new development candidate, IK-595, through IND-enabling studies, targeting MEK-RAF through novel mechanisms aiming to address existing gaps in the MEK inhibitor space |
| • | Preclinical differentiation data planned for presentation in the first half of 2023 |
| • | IND targeted in the second half of 2023 |
| • | Progressing novel, paralog-selective transcriptional enhanced associate domain (TEAD) inhibitor, IK-930, in the clinic and further defining differentiation profile from panTEAD inhibition |
| • | Monotherapy program progressing as planned, advanced through multiple dose escalation cohorts |
| • | Preclinical data on differentiation and advantages of paralog selectivity planned for presentation in first half of 2023 |
| • | Initiation of osimertinib combination cohort clinical program expected in first half of 2023 |
| • | Initial clinical data from IK-930 monotherapy program expected in second half of 2023 |
| • | Following a portfolio review, discontinuing the internal clinical development of the EP4 antagonist IK-007 and exploring strategic alternatives for this program |
| • | Clinical data from IK-007 in microsatellite stable colorectal cancer (MSS-CRC) will be presented in a poster at 2022 European Society for Medical Oncology Immuno-Oncology Congress |
| • | Portfolio reprioritization and streamlining of discovery and clinical activities contribute to extension of cash runway into 2025 |
| • | Runway does not include any potential licensing revenue from the AHR antagonist IK-175 program, currently in development in collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb and eligible for opt-in through early 2024 |
| Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits
| 99.1 | Ikena Oncology, Inc. Press Release | |
| 99.2 | Ikena Oncology, Inc. Corporate Presentation | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File | |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| Ikena Oncology, Inc. | ||||||
| Date: November 28, 2022 | By: | /s/ Mark Manfredi | ||||
| Mark Manfredi, Ph.D. | ||||||
| President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||
Exhibit 99.1
Ikena Oncology Announces New Program in Next-Generation MEK-RAF Inhibition and Provides Corporate Update
Novel best-in-class MEK-RAF complex inhibitor IK-595 targets RAS pathway; IND in 2023
Novel paralog-selective TEAD inhibitor IK-930 advancing as planned in dose escalation; clinical data in 2023
Company prioritizes advancement of targeted oncology portfolio; cash runway extended into 2025
BOSTON, November 28, 2022 – Ikena Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq: IKNA, “Ikena”), a targeted oncology company forging new territory in patient-directed cancer treatment, today announced a next-generation mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)-RAF complex inhibitor, IK-595, has been nominated as the company’s first development candidate in the RAS pathway.
The RAS pathway is implicated in at least half a million new cancer diagnosis each year in the United States alone. Ikena aims to target the pathway on multiple levels, including preventing known resistance mechanisms to achieve deep and sustained responses. Ikena’s new development candidate, IK-595, traps MEK and RAF in an inactive complex, more completely inhibiting RAS signals than existing inhibitors. IK-595’s ability to complex CRAF, in particular, prevents a well-recognized signaling bypass mechanism that cancer cells employ to drive therapeutic resistance to other drugs in this class. In addition, trapping CRAF in an inactive complex prevents the kinase independent anti-apoptotic function in RAS and RAF mutant cancers, a mechanism that cannot be addressed with first generation MEK inhibitors or pan-RAF inhibitors. IK-595 is being developed as an oral therapy, with a half-life enabling a pharmacokinetic profile potentially superior to other drugs, with the goal of developing an optimal therapeutic window for patients. The company plans to submit an investigational new drug application (IND) for IK-595 to the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in the second half of 2023.
“I am thrilled to announce this addition to our pipeline, one that adds to our holistic approach to the Hippo & RAS oncosignaling network. IK-595 inhibits multiple nodes of MEK-RAF signaling, including avoiding known mechanisms of resistance,” said Mark Manfredi, PhD, Ikena’s Chief Executive Officer. “The industry’s excitement about MEK inhibition stems from its great potential as a target, but the challenges of CRAF bypass and achieving optimal target inhibition have kept first generation treatments from meeting the full potential of the target. We are hopeful that our MEK-RAF trapping approach with an optimized therapeutic window can make IK-595 a game-changing candidate for multiple indications in the RAS space.”
Development Highlights, Corporate Updates, and Upcoming Milestones
| • | Advancing new development candidate, IK-595, through IND-enabling studies, targeting MEK-RAF through novel mechanisms aiming to address existing gaps in the MEK inhibitor space |
| • | Preclinical differentiation data planned for presentation in the first half of 2023 |
| • | IND targeted in the second half of 2023 |
| • | Progressing novel, paralog-selective transcriptional enhanced associate domain (TEAD) inhibitor, IK-930, in the clinic and further defining differentiation profile from panTEAD inhibition |
| • | Monotherapy program progressing as planned, advanced through multiple dose escalation cohorts |
| • | Preclinical data on differentiation and advantages of paralog selectivity planned for presentation in first half of 2023 |
| • | Initiation of osimertinib combination cohort clinical program expected in first half of 2023 |
| • | Initial clinical data from IK-930 monotherapy program expected in second half of 2023 |
| • | Following a portfolio review, discontinuing the internal clinical development of the EP4 antagonist IK-007 and exploring strategic alternatives for this program |
| • | Clinical data from IK-007 in microsatellite stable colorectal cancer (MSS-CRC) will be presented in a poster at 2022 European Society for Medical Oncology Immuno-Oncology Congress |
| • | Portfolio reprioritization and streamlining of discovery and clinical activities contribute to extension of cash runway into 2025 |
| • | Runway does not include any potential licensing revenue from the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) antagonist IK-175 program, currently in development in collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb and eligible for opt-in through early 2024 |
“Ikena has a strong track record of internal drug discovery and development that has built our robust clinical and early-stage pipeline,” said Jotin Marango, MD, PhD, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Corporate Development of Ikena. “Our goal is to continue our leadership in targeted oncology by discovering and advancing best-in-class candidates like IK-930 and IK-595, therapies designed to address the needs of specific patient populations while at the same time building value for our shareholders.”
About Ikena Oncology
Ikena OncologyTM is focused on developing differentiated therapies for patients in need that target nodes of cancer growth, spread, and therapeutic resistance in the Hippo and RAS onco-signaling network. The Company’s lead targeted oncology program, IK-930, is a paralog-selective TEAD inhibitor addressing the Hippo signaling pathway, a known tumor suppressor pathway that also drives resistance to multiple targeted therapies. The Company’s additional research spans other targets in the Hippo pathway as well as the RAS signaling pathway, including developing IK-595, a novel MEK-RAF inhibitor. Additionally, IK-175, an AHR antagonist, is being developed in collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb. Ikena aims to utilize their depth of institutional knowledge and breadth of tools to efficiently develop the right drug using the right modality for the right patient. To learn more, visit www.ikenaoncology.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, without limitation, statements regarding: the timing and advancement of our targeted oncology programs, including the timing of updates; our expectations regarding the therapeutic benefit of our targeted oncology programs; our ability to efficiently discover and develop product candidates; our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of our product candidates; the implementation of our business model, and strategic plans for our business and product candidates. The words “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “target” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and important factors that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those risks and uncertainties related to the timing and advancement of our targeted oncology programs; our expectations regarding the therapeutic benefit of our targeted oncology programs; expectations regarding our new executive officer; our ability to efficiently discover and develop product candidates; the implementation of our business model, and strategic plans for our business and product candidates, and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of Ikena’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, which is on file with the SEC, as updated by any subsequent SEC filings. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. We disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any such statements to reflect any change in expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent our views only as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. We explicitly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
Investor Contact:
Rebecca Cohen
Ikena Oncology
rcohen@ikenaoncology.com
Media Contact:
Gwen Schanker
LifeSci Communications
gschanker@lifescicomms.com
Exhibit 99.2 Corporate Presentation Fourth Quarter 2022 Confidential 1
Developing Biology-Driven Medicines and Expanding the Impact of Targeted Oncology • Multiple ongoing clinical trials with expected data readouts in the next 12 months • Leaders in Hippo pathway with clinical stage paralog-selective TEAD inhibitor IK-930 We develop differentiated therapies • Initial mono-therapy in mesothelioma and EHE in 2023 for patients in need that target nodes of • Combination with osimertinib in NSCLS to start in 2023 cancer growth, spread, and therapeutic • Next generation Hippo candidate in lead optimization resistance in the Hippo and RAS onco- signaling network.• Novel MEK/RAF inhibitor IK-595 in IND-enabling studies • IND in 2H 2023 with broad potential across RAF and RAS mutant cancers • BMS partnered program IK-175 with clinical activity in bladder cancer • Potential for $50M in opt-in fees by early 2024, $450M in milestones Hippo Pathway RAS Pathway plus global royalties • >$170M in cash; Runway into 2025 Confidential 2 2
Ikena Wholly Owned Pipeline Focused on Targeted Oncology in Hippo-Ras Oncosignaling Network Candidate Indications Partnerships Late-Stage Discovery IND Enabling Phase 1 Target Interventions & Rights Development Hippo-Altered Cancers IK-930 Monotherapy & Multiple TEAD Combinations Hippo Pathway Undisclosed Hippo-Altered Cancers RAS and RAF Altered IK-595 Cancers; Additional Tumor MEK-RAF Types RAS Pathway Undisclosed RAS-Mutated Cancers Bladder Cancer, AHR Enriched Monotherapy & Nivolumab Combination AHR IK-175 Signaling AHR Head & Neck Cancer, AHR Enriched Nivolumab Combination Confidential 3 3 Immune-Signaling Targeted Oncology
Connectivity Across RAS & Hippo Onco-signaling Network Nodes in the RAS network are intricately connected to each other and other orthogonal pathways, including Hippo Ikena has deep institutional Hippo Pathway RAS Pathway knowledge and broad capabilities that lay the foundation for discovery RAS NF2 OFF programs across the network GDP GRB2 MST1/2 SOS RAS Deep knowledge and characterization GTP of the interconnected nature of ON SHP2 oncogenic nodes THERAPEUTIC LATS1/2 RESISTANCE Proven history of drugging difficult targets 13K PI3K RAF YAP1/TAZ Leaders in drugging the MEK AKT 1/2 Hippo pathway YAP1/TAZ Advanced capabilities across ERK1/2 mTOR biomolecular characterization, TEAD structural biology, chemistry, and translational medicine Hippo genetically-altered cancers and Hippo activated resistance RASm cancers – the most common pathway with genetic alteration in cancers – Confidential 4 4 potential benefit from monotherapies and combination therapies
Targeting TEAD & the Hippo Pathway IK-930 Confidential 5
2. THERAPEUTIC RESISTANCE Hippo Pathway Alterations and Activity Trigger TEAD Transcription-Dependent Tumor Growth NF2 KRAS BRAF MST1/2 1. GENETIC ALTERATIONS: Treat patients with genetic CDK 4/6 alterations in the Hippo pathway with IK-930 MEK MONOTHERAPY. The Hippo pathway is genetically EGFR altered in approximately 10% of all human cancers, LATS1/2 including 40% of malignant mesothelioma patients and 100% of EHE patients ALK YAP1/TAZ 2. THERAPEUTIC RESISTANCE: COMBINE IK-930 with other targeted therapies. Resistance to multiple targeted therapies and tumor recurrence can be linked to YAP/TEAD activation YAP1/TAZ TEAD TEAD DEPENDENT TUMOR GROWTH TRANSCRIPTION Confidential 6 6 1. GENETIC ALTERATIONS
IK-930 is an Oral, Selective, Potent TEAD Inhibitor IK-930 was well tolerated preclinically while showing significant impact on TEAD dependent gene expression Robust Inhibition Selective Activity in Potent TEAD Inhibition TEAD Target Gene Expression Hippo-Mutated Cells 100 1.5 CNN1 80 ANKRD1 1.0 60 CTGF NPPB 40 AMOTL2 0.5 20 CYR61 0 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 DMSO IK-930 0.0 10 10 10 10 10 10 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 10 10 10 10 10 10 IK-930 Concentration (mM) TEAD activated cell line ( ) IK-930 Concentration mM TEAD gene NF2 mutant mesothelioma Control NF2 KO expression proliferation Confidential 7 7 % Inhibition Proliferation
IK-930 Monotherapy Has Potential Across Genetic Mutations in the Hippo Pathway Impact Across Tumor Models for Hippo Pathways Genetic Alterations 2000 1500 Vehicle Vehicle 2000 Vehicle IK-930 30 mg/kg QD IK-930 30 mg/kg QD IK-930 200 mg/kg QD IK-930 75 mg/kg QD 1500 IK-930 75 mg/kg QD 1500 1000 IK-930 200 mg/kg QD 1000 1000 500 500 500 0 0 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 0 5 10 15 20 25 0 5 10 15 20 25 Days post treatment initiation Days post treatment initiation Days post treatment initiation LATS1/LATS2 Mutated Mesothelioma Model YAP1 Amplified HNSCC Model NF2 Deficient Mesothelioma Model Confidential 8 8 Average Tumor Volume (mm3+/-SEM) Average Tumor Volume (mm3+/-SEM) Average Tumor Volume (mm3+/-SEM)
IK-930 Monotherapy Strategy and Clinical Development Plan; Initial Data Expected in 2H 2023 Ongoing Phase 1 Trial Growing Monotherapy Opportunity Monotherapy Clinical Development Plan ~125,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients per year in the US with known Hippo pathway mutations and alteration Dose Escalation Dose Expansion Currently recruiting; advanced through Cohort 1: NF2 deficient multiple doses mesothelioma • Malignant Mesothelioma: ~40% NF2 loss of function mutations Cohort 2: NF2 deficient solid • NSCLC: 6% YAP1 and 29% TAZ amplification tumors; agnostic approach • Meningioma: High frequency of NF2 deficiency; Most common All comers Cohort 3: Epithelioid CNS tumor, accounting for ~one-third of primary CNS tumors Tumors known to have high hemangioendothelioma (EHE) incidence of Hippo pathway • Head & Neck Cancers: Growing body of knowledge on frequent alterations YAP/TAZ amplification and FAT1 (upstream) deficiency Cohort 4: YAP/TAZ gene fusion solid tumors; agnostic • Soft Tissue Sarcomas: ~90% of epithelioid approach hemangioendothelioma, or EHE, have TAZ-CAMTA1 fusions; 10% of EHE have YAP1-TFE3 fusions Confidential 9 9
IK-930 Opportunity to Address Emerging Early-Use Osimertinib Resistance 40%+ of patients with Osimertinib resistance have unidentified mechanisms and represent a significant unmet need Resistance Mechanisms to Osimertinib in EGFRm NSCLC Acquired Baseline Resistance Leonetti, et al., Br J Cancer, 2019 Baseline Acquired Resistance Lee, et al., BBRC, 2016 Opportunity for IK-930 combinations to address acquired Osimertinib resistance Opportunity to identify subset of patients in whom addition of IK930 combo can delay/prevent the emergence of resistance Confidential 10 10 Nuclear YAP YAP
IK-930 Combination with EGFRi shows Improved Anti-tumor Activity Multiple EGFRm Lung Cancer Models Show Benefit of IK-930-Osi Combination H1975 Tumor Model PC9 Tumor Model 1 5 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 5 0 0 Vehicle 1 5 0 0 Vehicle IK-930 IK-930 Osimertinib 1 5 0 0 Osimertinib IK-930 + Osi 1 0 0 0 930 + Osi IK- 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 0 1 5 0 5 1 0 1 5 Days post treatment initiation Days post treatment initiation 0 0 0 5 1 0 1 5 0 5 1 0 1 5 Days post treatment initiation Days post treatment initiation Confidential 11 11 Mean tumor volume (mm3) +/- SEM Mean tumor volume 3 (mm ) +/- SEM
IK-930 Has Pre-Clinical Impact on Refractory Persister Cells Potential for IK-930 to prevent resistance to EGFR inhibitors and even reverse the effect when given after resistance has already emerged IK-930 + Osi Combined Prevents Emergence of Persisters Cell cycle arrest Osimertinib 1100 Cell death peak Osimertinib + IK-930 1000 900 Emergence and expansion 800 of Osimertinib persister cells 700 600 500 ~600 counts 400 300 Osi & IK-930 200 addition 100 <70 counts 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Days IK-930 Addition after Persister Emergence Attenuates Expansion Osimertinib 1100 Cell cycle 1000 Osimertinib + IK-930 Cell death peak arrest 900 Osi Emergence and expansion 800 addition of Osimertinib persister cells 700 600 ~450 counts 500 400 300 <180 counts 200 IK-930 100 addition 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Days Confidential 12 12 Live Cell Counts Live Cell Counts
IK-930’s Potential to Combat Therapeutic Resistance to Other Targeted Therapies Combination strategy represents an independent mechanisms and potential opportunity for IK-930 Addressing a Leading Limitation of Targeted Therapy - Combination Clinical Development Plan Primary and Secondary Therapeutic Resistance First Cohort to Initiate in 2023 Resistance to multiple targeted therapies and tumor recurrence can be linked to YAP/TEAD activation Dose Escalation Dose Expansion Overcoming resistance mechanisms and escape could deepen and prolong responses and address de novo Cohort 1: IK-930 + resistance, allowing more patients to respond to target osimertinib in EGFRm therapies overall resistant NSCLC Cohort 2: IK-930 + MEKi “…underlying mechanisms through which malignant tumor cells acquire in solid tumors, including or develop resistance to anti-cancer treatment. The Hippo signaling pathway appears to play an important role in this process.” KRASm tumors Zeng et al. Cancers 2021 All comers “Despite [targeted oncology’s] Biomarker defined tumors Additional Cohorts: “The biggest hurdle to targeted immense progress, advanced treated with targeted Determine from emerging therapies (multiple cancer therapy is the inevitable cancer is ultimately lethal for combination groups) data emergence of drug resistance.” most patients due to treatment Lim, et al. Journal of Hematology & resistance.” Oncology 2019 Aldea, et al. Cancer Discovery 2021 Confidential 13 13
Ikena Leads the Field in Targeting the Hippo Pathway • IK-930: First-in-class, paralog-selective TEAD inhibitor NF2 • Ongoing phase 1 clinical trial currently in dose escalation • Monotherapy cohorts in NF2 mutant mesothelioma MST1/2 and EHE (100% YAP/TAZ) • Multiple planned combination cohorts combating LATS1/2 therapeutic resistance • Data shows potential to prevent and reverse resistance to EGFR inhibitors YAP1/TAZ • Additional data on advantages of paralog-selectivity and combination approach in 1H 2023 • Initial clinical data expected in 2H 2023 YAP1/TAZ • Next-gen Hippo program in lead optimization TEAD TEAD DEPENDENT TUMOR GROWTH TRANSCRIPTION Confidential 14 14
MEK-RAF Complex Inhibitor IK-595 Confidential 15
The RAS Pathway is Highly Implicated in Cancer Targeting within the pathway could be impactful for a massive and diverse population 10 of the 20 most common cancers worldwide are The RAS pathway is potentially associated with RAS pathway mutations implicated in over half a million Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Colorectal Adenocarcinoma new cancer diagnoses each Multiple Myeloma 1 year in the US alone Lung Adenocarcinoma Skin Cutaneous Melanoma Uterine Corpus Endometroid Sarcoma New approaches in targeting the pathway need Uterine Carcinosarcoma to consider key learnings Thyroid Carcinoma Acute Myeloid Leukemia • Approved inhibitors can paradoxically Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma activate MEK/ERK signaling Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cervical Adenocarcinoma • CRAF is implicated as a key signaling bypass Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma mechanism for targeted therapies, and has Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma kinase independent activity that drives RAS 0 20 40 60 80 100 mutant cancers 2 Frequency of RAS Mutation %KRAS %NRAS %HRAS Top 20 Cancer 1 ACS and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3457779/ Confidential 16 16 2 Cox. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery (2014); World Cancer Research Fund International
First Generation MEK Inhibitors: Insufficient Targeting Leads to Limited Activity First gen MEK inhibitors missed the potential MEK’s role in driving ERK- of CRAF to bypass MEK and trigger ERK mediated tumor growth Approved MEK inhibitors like trametinib and binimetinib block MEK kinase activity RASm RASm Feedback in the pathway however triggers CRAF activation CRAF A/B- A/B- CRAF CRAF (kinase- CRAF independent) RAF RAF Cancer’s survival mechanism utilizes CRAF to reactivate the pathway and bypass inhibition MEK MEK CRAF bypass 1/2 1/2 st 1 gen Additionally, approved inhibitors miss MEKi blocking kinase-independent CRAF ERK ERK 1/2 1/2 function that can trigger tumor growth Leads to incomplete pathway inhibition Confidential 17 17
IK-595: A Best-in-Class Dual MEK-RAF Complex Inhibitor IK-595 traps MEK & RAF in an inactive Key IK-595 Advantages complex to prevent CRAF bypass and kinase-independent CRAF function IK-595 is designed to and has shown preclinical evidence of superior profile than first generation and in-development MEK inhibitors RASm ✓ Inhibit MEK mediated ERK1/2 phosphorylation CRAF ✓ Prevent MEK phosphorylation by RAF A/B- CRAF MEK RAF IK- ✓ Alleviate therapeutic resistance through CRAF mediated bypass and pathway reactivation 1/2 MEK 595 IK- 1/2 595 ✓ Block CRAF kinase independent activities ✓ Optimized PK profile to target IC90 plasma concentrations widening the therapeutic window ERK 1/2 Confidential 18 18
Key Advantages of IK-595 Including Robust Stabilization of MEK-CRAF Complex IK-595 traps RAF and MEK in a stable, inactive complex providing advantages in blocking both bypass in the pathway and kinase-independent CRAF function IK-595 Stabilizes CRAF-MEK Complex HCT-116 IP MEK HCT-116 Cells RASm 1 2 3 4 5 4 CRAF CRAF 3 1- DMSO A/B- MEK CRAF MEK RAF 2- Trametinib IK- 1/2 MEK 595 3- VS-6766 2 IK- CRAF (Input) 1/2 4- Trametiglue 595 5- IK-595 1 Phospho-MEK (Input) MEK (Input) 0 ERK 1/2 IK-595 Potency Adds to Best-in-Class Potential Biochem uMEK Cellular pMEK 4h Proliferation Assay Cellular pERK IC 50 IC / 48h IC AsPC-1 CTG IC 50 50 50 IK-595 0.1 nM 3 nM 0.6/1 nM 1.3 nM Confidential 19 19 DMSO Trametinib VS-6766 Trametiglue IK-595 CRAF-MEK Interaction (Fold Induction)
IK-595 Leads to Significantly More Durable Pathway Suppression than Other MEK Inhibitors IK-595 Potently Inhibits MEK IK-595 Demonstrates Robust and Prolonged Phosphorylation In Vitro pERK Inhibition in Multiple Cell Lines In vitro MEK Phosphorylation (AsPC-1 cells) 0.4 Trametinib AsPC1 (KRASmut Pancreatic) In vitro MEK Phosphorylation (AsPC-1 cells) VS-6766 0.3 0.5 IK-595 In vitro MEK Phosphorylation (AsPC-1 cells) AsPC1 (KRASmut Pancreatic) 0.4 0.2 Trametinib 0.4 0.4 0.5 Trametinib VS-6766 IK-595 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.4 IK-595 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 0.2 Dose (nM) 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 1 10 100 In vitro MEK Phosphorylation (HCT116 cells) 0.0 Time (Hours) 0.0 20 1 10 100 0.0 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 NCI-H2122 (KRASmut Lung) 5637 (CRAF Amplified Bladder) DMSO 0.01 Tim 0. e 1 (Hours 1 ) 10 100 1000 10000 IK-595 Dose (nM) 15 0.5 0.5 VS-6766 Dose (nM) Trametinib 10 0.4 0.4 Trametiglue 4 Mirdametinib 0.3 0.3 Binimetinib 3 Selumetinib 2 0.2 0.2 Cobimetinib 1 0.1 0.1 0 4 48 4 48 4 48 4 48 4 48 4 48 4 48 4 48 4 48 Hours 0.0 0.0 1 10 100 1 10 100 Time (Hours) Time (Hours) Confidential 20 20 Normalized pMEK to tMEK Ratio pMEK to tMEK Ratio IK-595 Normalized pERK to tERK Ratio Normalized pERK to tERK Ratio Normalized pERK to tERK Ratio pMEK to tMEK Ratio pMEK to tMEK Ratio Normalized pERK to tERK Ratio
Robust Preclinical Efficacy in RAS and RAF Cancers with Great Sensitivity in CRAF Dependent Models Antitumor Activity Across Models at Tolerated IK-595 Doses IK-595 Sensitivity KRAS G12D Pancreatic Model KRAS G12C Lung Tumor Model 400 3000 2000 300 1500 2000 200 1000 100 1000 500 0 0 0 0 10 20 30 0 5 10 15 20 25 Days of Treatment Days of Treatment CRAF Amplified Bladder Tumor Model IK-595 has greatest sensitivity in NRAS and KRAS Vehicle 600 IK-595 3 mg/kg mutant cell lines which are dependent on CRAF 600 400 NRAS and KRAS – CRAF CERES Score Jones, 4th RAS-Targeted Drug Development Summit 2022 400 200 WT 200 0 Mut 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Days of Treatment 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Days of Treatment Confidential 21 21 Efficacy achieved with both continuous and intermittent dosing of IK-595 RASWT NRASmut KRASmut BRAFV600 EGFRmut PIK3CAmut PTENmut 3 Tumor volume (mm ) Mean tumor volume 3 (mm ) +/- SEM 3 Tumor volume (mm ) 3 Tumor volume (mm ) Inhibition (AUC)
IK-595: Best-in-Class Next Generation MEK-RAF Complex Inhibitor CRAF A/B-RAF MEK • Novel, best-in-class inhibitor that traps MEK and RAF in an inactive complex for more IK-595 1/2 complete inhibition of the pathway • Durable, potent inhibition of the pathway demonstrated through multiple data sets • Mechanisms prevents CRAF bypass and kinase-independent CRAF function • Preclinical efficacy in multiple disease models • Difficult to treat CRAF-dependent tumors show high sensitivity to IK-595 in cell lines • IND planned for 2H 2023 Confidential 22 22
Targeting AHR to Counter Immunosuppressive TME IK-175 Confidential 23
AHR’s Role in Immune Signaling & Identifying Bladder Cancer as Key Population Activated AHR can prevent immune recognition of cancer through both the innate and adaptive immune systems Novel Assays to Optimize Indication Selection Tryptophan Tryptophan AHR AHR AHR IDO1 TDO2 Proprietary Proprietary IHC Gene amplification transcriptional Kynurenine signature accumulation STING Tumor Microarray Result 300 AHR Activation TLR9 200 TGFB Immunosuppression & 100 Tumorigenesis AHR modulates activity in both the innate and adaptive immune systems 1 0 Bladder HNSCC Melanoma Ovarian Confidential 24 24 H-Score Nucleus Tumor region
IK-175 Ph1 Study Ongoing in Urothelial Carcinoma Patients Patients have exhausted SOC and progressed on CPIs Pharmacodynamics at All Doses Monotherapy Combination Clinical data presented at SITC 2022 including 1.2 1.5 dose escalation (all-comers), and both mono 1.0 0.8 1.0 and combo stage 1 expansion cohorts in 200mg 0.6 400mg urothelial carcinoma 800mg 0.4 0.5 • 43 total patients; 40 evaluable for anti- 1200mg 800mg 0.2 1600mg tumor activity 1200mg 0.0 0.0 • 20 dose escalation • 20 dose expansion (10 mono, 10 combo) Pharmacodynamics seen at all doses Timepoint Timepoint Last-line, Heavily Pre-treated Patients No DLTs observed Demographics of Evaluable Urothelial Carcinoma Patients in Initial Clinical Analysis IK-175 was well tolerated with a predictable Monotherapy Combination and manageable safety profile (n=10) (n=10) Prior lines of anti-cancer therapy Encouraging anti-tumor activity and duration 1-3 2 4 of response seen in IK-175 nivolumab combination expansion cohort 4-10 8 6 ADC experienced 9 6 Confidential 25 25 Pre-dose 3hrs (±30 minutes) 6-8hrs Pre-dose C1D2 Pre-dose C2D1 3hrs (±30minutes) 6-8hrs - ( t ) - - - ( t ) - Pre dose 3hrs ±30 minu es 6 8hrs Pre dose C1D2 Pre dose C2D1 3hrs ±30minu es 6 8hrs Normalized to pre-dose C1D1 Normalized to pre-dose C1D1
Initial Clinical Data in Urothelial Carcinoma Demonstrated Encouraging Anti-Tumor Activity Clear evidence of monotherapy activity contributing to combination responses Heavily pretreated patients exhausted all options -- failed checkpoints and have had up to 10 prior lines of therapy Mono partial response ongoing over 15 months; Combo partial responses ongoing over 5 months Stage 1 of Combination Cohort in Urothelial Carcinoma Initial Clinical Data from Stage 1 of Expansion Cohorts Showed 40% DCR with Encouraging Anti-Tumor Activity Monotherapy Combination (n=10) (n=10) Best overall response Confirmed partial 1 (10%) 2 (20%) response Stable Disease 1 (10%) 2 (20%) Progressive disease 6 (60%) 6 (60%) ORR, n(%) 1 (10%) 2 (20%) DCR, n(%) 2 (20%) 4 (40%) Time from baseline (months) Combo result represent meaningful potential for patient population with significant and ongoing DoR Currently recruiting in stage 2 of both mono and combo cohorts Confidential 26 26 Percent change in SoD target lesions
Ikena Wholly Owned Pipeline Focused on Targeted Oncology in Hippo-Ras Oncosignaling Network Candidate Indications Partnerships Discovery IND Enabling Phase 1 Upcoming Milestone Target Interventions & Rights Hippo-Altered Cancers IK-930 Continued recruitment; Monotherapy & Multiple TEAD Initial data expected 2023 Combinations Hippo Pathway Progressing research Undisclosed Hippo-Altered Cancers toward add ’l candidate RAS and RAF Altered IK-595 Cancers; Additional Tumor IND in 2H 2023 MEK-RAF Types RAS Pathway Progressing research Undisclosed RAS-Mutated Cancers toward add ’l candidate Bladder Cancer, AHR Presented initial data at Enriched SITC’22; continued trial Monotherapy & Nivolumab progress Combination AHR IK-175 Signaling AHR Head & Neck Cancer, AHR Continued trial progress Enriched Nivolumab Combination Confidential 27 27 Immune-Signaling Targeted Oncology
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