Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc. announced the publication in Cancer Immunology Research of preclinical data for its lead molecule WTX-124, a systemically delivered Interleukin-2 (IL-2) INDUKINE™ molecule. The article, entitled “Discovery of a Conditionally Activated Interleukin-2 that Promotes Anti-tumor Immunity and Induces Tumor Regression,” includes preclinical data that demonstrate the efficacy of the design of WTX-124 in delivering IL-2 selectively to the tumor microenvironment where it stimulates a potent anti-tumor immune response. Other key findings and data outlined in the article include: WTX-124 treatment triggers the infiltration and activation of T cells and natural killer cells in tumors and markedly shifts the immune activation profile of the tumor microenvironment.

WTX-124 treatment of tumor-bearing mice results in immunological memory. WTX-124 has an improved therapeutic window compared to recombinant human IL-2 in the mouse. WTX-124 is stable in human serum and is processed by the majority of primary human tumor specimens tested.

Werewolf is developing WTX-124 as a potential monotherapy or in combination with checkpoint inhibitors in multiple tumor types. The Company has entered into a clinical trial collaboration agreement with Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, to evaluate WTX-124 as a monotherapy and in combination with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), Merck's anti-PD-1 (programmed death receptor-1) therapy, in patients with solid tumors. The Company expects to file an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) for WTX-124 in the first half of 2022.