• ABSTRACT OF SERNOVA’S COLLABORATION WITH EVOTEC ON IPSC AND CELL POUCH™ COMBINATION TREATMENT DATA FOR TYPE ONE DIABETES SELECTED FOR ORAL PODIUM PRESENTATION
• FIRST PRE-CLINICAL DATA PRESENTATION OF SERNOVA’S CELL POUCH WITH EVOTEC’S IPSC DERIVED ISLET-LIKE CLUSTER TECHNOLOGY FOR TYPE 1 DIABETES (T1D)

London, ON, Canada, 14 March 2023:
Sernova Corp. (TSX:SVA) (OTCQB:SEOVF) (FSE/XETRA:PSH), a clinical-stage company and leader in cell therapeutics, announced today that an abstract has been selected for an oral presentation at the 4^th International Pancreas and Islet Transplant Association (IPITA) / Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) / Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF) Summit, to be held from April 24-25, 2023 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The presentation will be given by Matthias Austen, PhD, SVP Cell Therapy at Evotec SE (FSE: EVT; NASDAQ: EVO).

Abstract Title: Manufacturing of optimized human islet-like clusters (ILCs) from iPSCs and functional testing of an ILC + Cell Pouch™ combination in vivo

Authors: Audrey Holtzinger, Simone Strauch, Thomas Reinbothe, Claudia Wrzos, Andreas Scheel, Cord Dohrmann, Arash Memarnejadian, Pardis Pakshir, Philip M. Toleikis, Matthias Austen

Date / Time: Monday, April 24, 2023 from 2:45pm-4:25pm ET

Evotec has developed a scalable and comprehensive process for GMP manufacturing of ILCs from a human GMP-grade induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line for cell therapy in human insulin-dependent diabetes. In 2022, Evotec entered into a collaboration with Sernova Corp., which has developed the proprietary Cell Pouch System™. Following implantation, the Cell Pouch develops a vascularized environment to support engraftment and long-term function of therapeutic cells. 

Sernova will disclose additional information about the presentation at the time of the conference.

For further information, please follow this link to the full version of the press release from Sernova.

ABOUT SERNOVA CORP. AND THE CELL POUCH SYSTEM PLATFORM FOR CELL THERAPY

Sernova Corp. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that is developing therapeutic cell technologies for chronic diseases, including insulin-dependent diabetes, thyroid disease, and blood disorders that include hemophilia A. Sernova is currently focused on developing a ‘functional cure’ for insulin-dependent diabetes with its lead asset, the Cell Pouch System, a novel implantable and scalable medical device with immune protected therapeutic cells. On implantation, the Cell Pouch forms a natural vascularized tissue environment in the body for long-term survival and function of therapeutic cells that release essential factors that are absent or deficient in the bodies of patients with certain chronic diseases. Sernova’s Cell Pouch System has demonstrated its potential to be a ‘functional cure’ for people with T1D in an ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical study at the University of Chicago. Sernova is also advancing a proprietary technology in collaboration with the University of Miami to shield therapeutic cells from immune system attack with the goal to eliminate the need for chronic, systemic immunosuppression. In May 2022, Sernova and Evotec entered into a global strategic partnership to develop an implantable off-the-shelf iPSC (induced pluripotent stem cells) based islet replacement therapy. This partnership provides Sernova a potentially unlimited supply of insulin-producing cells to treat millions of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes (type 1 and type 2). Sernova continues to progress two additional development programs that utilize its Cell Pouch System: a cell therapy for hypothyroid disease resulting from thyroid gland removal and an ex vivo lentiviral Factor VIII gene therapy for hemophilia A.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

This announcement contains forward-looking statements concerning future events, including the proposed offering and listing of Evotec’s securities. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “should,” “target,” “would” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include comments regarding Evotec’s expectations for revenues, Group EBITDA and unpartnered R&D expenses. These forward-looking statements are based on the information available to, and the expectations and assumptions deemed reasonable by Evotec at the time these statements were made. No assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates, which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of Evotec. Evotec expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Evotec’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.