Author: Ravi Shankar

• BARDA partnership accelerates development of SCY-247 as a potential therapy for the treatment and prevention of serious invasive fungal infections, addressing a critical public health need
• Non-dilutive funding for SCY-247 enables advancement of a Phase-2 ready program, strengthening the pipeline, enhancing portfolio optionality, and bolstering the Company’s long-term value proposition
• The Company does not anticipate any changes to its previously communicated guidance regarding development milestones for SCY-770, its lead product candidate for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD), or the Company’s cash runway into 2029

JERSEY CITY, N.J., Sept. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SCYNEXIS, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCYX) (“SCYNEXIS” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to advancing innovative solutions for severe rare diseases, today announced that it has been awarded a contract by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to advance the development of SCY-247, the Company’s second-generation fungerp antifungal candidate.

“We are proud to partner with BARDA to advance the development of SCY-247, our antifungal designed to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance,” said David Angulo, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of SCYNEXIS. “While we remain focused on SCY-770, our new product candidate for ADPKD, this partnership enables the development of a novel therapy for the treatment and prevention of serious invasive fungal infections while leveraging our existing infrastructure and capabilities. Importantly, it strengthens our pipeline by allowing us to advance two programs into Phase 2 and positions SCYNEXIS to create long-term value by addressing significant unmet needs in severe rare diseases.”

Invasive fungal infections remain a significant public health threat, with limited treatment options and increasing resistance to existing therapies. SCYNEXIS is developing SCY-247 to address this unmet need, and BARDA’s support reflects the strategic importance of strengthening U.S. preparedness against serious drug-resistant fungal infections through innovative antifungal therapies. If all options are exercised, the BARDA contract could fund the development of SCY-247 from its current stage through NDA submission for two indications: treatment of invasive candidiasis and prevention of invasive fungal infections in high-risk patients. The contract may be extended for up to 10 years and provides up to approximately $214 million in potential funding if all options are exercised. The initial base period of the BARDA contract provides approximately $18.5 million to support advancement of oral and intravenous SCY-247 into a Phase 2 trial in patients with invasive candidiasis.

The award is structured as a cost-share arrangement, with BARDA providing support for eligible SCY-247 costs, including both direct and general and administrative expenses. The Company expects to fund its share of near-term program costs for SCY-247 within its existing operating plan. The Company’s previously communicated development plans for SCY-770 and the projected cash runway into 2029 remain unchanged.

This project has been funded in whole or in part with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR); Center for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), under contract number 75A50126C00007.

About SCY-247
SCY-247 is a second-generation triterpenoid (fungerp) antifungal candidate being developed for the treatment of invasive candidiasis and the prevention of invasive fungal diseases. As a member of a novel structural class, SCY-247 has a differentiated mechanism of action from existing antifungal classes and has demonstrated in vitro activity against a broad range of fungal pathogens, including strains resistant to currently available therapies. SCY-247 has been granted Orphan, Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) and Fast Track designations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. SCYNEXIS is developing both oral and intravenous (IV) formulations of SCY-247; positive Phase 1 single- and multiple-ascending-dose data for the oral formulation were reported in September 2025, and a Phase 1 study of the intravenous formulation has completed dosing with analysis ongoing.

About SCYNEXIS
SCYNEXIS, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCYX) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to advancing innovative solutions for severe rare diseases. SCY-770 is being developed for the treatment of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) and has been granted Orphan Drug designation. SCYNEXIS’ proprietary antifungal platform “fungerps” includes BREXAFEMME® (ibrexafungerp tablets), the first approved representative of this novel class, which has been licensed to GSK, and SCY-247, currently in clinical development as an oral and IV antifungal for the treatment and prevention of invasive fungal infections. For more information, visit www.scynexis.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding expected future events or results are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to statements regarding: potential funding and expected proceeds from BARDA, whether BARDA will exercise all options, continued advancement of SCY-247 and SCY-770, expected funding to advance SCY-247 from current stage through NDA submission for two indications, the Company’s expected cash runway in 2029, the Company’s ability to create long-term value by addressing significant unmet needs in severe rare diseases, and other statements identified by words such as “will,” “potential,” “could,” “can,” “believe,” “intends,” “continue,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “may,” other words of similar meaning or the use of future dates. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks inherent in regulatory and other costs in developing products. For the Company, this includes the future prospects of the Company’s SCY-770 and SCY-247 programs, the timing and results of the Company’s anticipated Phase 2 clinical studies, stock price volatility and uncertainties relating to the financial markets, the medical community and the global economy, and the impact of instability in general business and economic conditions, including changes in inflation and interest rates. These and other risks are described more fully in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including without limitation, its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 4, 2026, including under the caption “Risk Factors,” and in other filings the Company makes with the SEC from time to time. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

CONTACT: 
Investor Relations
John Fraunces
LifeSci Advisors
Tel: 917-355-2395
jfraunces@lifesciadvisors.com

TORONTO, Sept. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Base Carbon Inc. (Cboe CA: BCBN) (OTCQX: BCBNF) with operations through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Base Carbon Capital Partners Corp. (“BCCPC”, together, with affiliates, “Base Carbon”, or the “Company”), is pleased to announce that carbon credit registry, Verra, has completed CORSIA – First Phase, 2024-2026 Eligible (“CORSIA-eligible”) tagging of 639,609 previously issued carbon credits from the Company’s Rwanda cookstoves project (the “Project”).

Highlights: 

• Verra has completed CORSIA-eligible tagging of 639,609 previously issued carbon credits from the Project utilizing the current VM0050 cookstove methodology.
   
• This brings the aggregate number of CORSIA-eligible tagged carbon credits issued to date from the Project to 1,959,812.

Going forward, the Project is anticipated to generate approximately 2.6 million additional carbon credits on regular 6-month intervals during the remainder of the Project’s crediting period. The Company expects all of these further credits to become CORSIA-eligible. The Company is actively engaged in multiple carbon credit sale processes and continues to remain focused on value maximization.

“Today’s announcement further demonstrates the maturity and reliability of our Project through the regular cadence of issuance and eligibility,” said Michael Costa, Chief Executive Officer of Base Carbon. “DelAgua’s consistent operational expertise and execution of the Project continue to strengthen our market position, with fully CORSIA-eligible inventories available to meet aviation compliance demand,” added Costa.

About Base Carbon

Base Carbon provides capital, development expertise and management operating resources to projects involved in the global carbon markets. We endeavor to be the preferred carbon project partner in providing capital and management resources to carbon removal and reduction projects globally and, where appropriate, will utilize technologies within the evolving environmental industries to enhance efficiencies, commercial credibility, and trading transparency. For more information, please visit www.basecarbon.com.

Media and Investor Inquiries 

Base Carbon Inc. 
Investor Relations 
Tel: +1 647 952 3979 
E-mail: investorrelations@basecarbon.com

Media Inquiries 
E-mail: media@basecarbon.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information

This press release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the focus of Base Carbon’s business, the expected issuance and timing of carbon credits, the future application of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, the Article 6 Authorized label, the CORSIA-eligible label and market reaction thereto, the outcome of current carbon credit sale processes and the ability to monetize or sell carbon credits and the receipt of proceeds from the disposition of carbon credits or revenue sharing arrangements, the implementation of the CORSIA framework and timing of eligibility and participation of carbon credits and carbon credit methodologies thereunder, and the market demand and price of CORSIA-eligible carbon credits. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “contemplates”, “believes”, “projects”, “plans”, “seeks” or variations of such words and similar expressions or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “will” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management’s expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance, results, or achievements.

Although management believes that the anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information are based upon reasonable assumptions and expectations, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information because it involves assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

In respect of the Rwanda cookstoves project, certain factors that influence the commercial success of such project, including the timing and number of expected carbon credits, include among other things: (i) the Company has retained industry leading experts/consultants/advisors to assist with the evaluation, planning, negotiation and execution of such project, (ii) the work product, including monitoring reports, of each project’s validation and verification body, (iii) project carbon credit market prices, (iv) the verification of ongoing project monitoring reports and issuance of carbon credits by Verra, and (v) changes to laws, regulation or policies in applicable jurisdictions.

In respect of the Rwanda cookstoves project, certain assumptions that influence the commercial success of such project, including the timing and number of expected carbon credits, include among other things: (i) distributed cookstoves perform to specification when used and participating households use the devices as contemplated by project estimates, (ii) the Company’s in-country project partners perform their obligations in connection with the development and operation of the project, (iii) there is no further changes in the project methodologies used by the applicable carbon credit registry or otherwise adopted by project proponents which results in less carbon credits being issuable, (iv) positive market recognition of the attributes linked to the Company’s carbon credits (such as project methodologies and changes thereto) and acceptance of such carbon credits by emissions trading schemes or compliance programs such as CORSIA, and (v) continued participant involvement and public support, including that of applicable governmental authorities, of the voluntary and compliance carbon markets.

The forward-looking statements made herein are subject to a variety of risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual events or results to differ materially and adversely from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Specific reference is made to the management’s discussion and analysis for the Company’s quarter ended June 30, 2026 and the most recent Annual Information Form on file with the Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities (and available on www.sedarplus.ca) for a more detailed discussion of some of the factors underlying forward-looking statements and the risks that may affect the Company’s ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

Should one or more of the risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual events or results may vary materially and adversely from those described in the forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is provided as of the date of this press release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

TORONTO, Sept. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Base Carbon Inc. (Cboe CA: BCBN) (OTCQX: BCBNF) with operations through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Base Carbon Capital Partners Corp. (“BCCPC”, together, with affiliates, “Base Carbon”, or the “Company”), is pleased to announce that carbon credit registry, Verra, has completed CORSIA – First Phase, 2024-2026 Eligible (“CORSIA-eligible”) tagging of 639,609 previously issued carbon credits from the Company’s Rwanda cookstoves project (the “Project”).

Highlights: 

• Verra has completed CORSIA-eligible tagging of 639,609 previously issued carbon credits from the Project utilizing the current VM0050 cookstove methodology.
   
• This brings the aggregate number of CORSIA-eligible tagged carbon credits issued to date from the Project to 1,959,812.

Going forward, the Project is anticipated to generate approximately 2.6 million additional carbon credits on regular 6-month intervals during the remainder of the Project’s crediting period. The Company expects all of these further credits to become CORSIA-eligible. The Company is actively engaged in multiple carbon credit sale processes and continues to remain focused on value maximization.

“Today’s announcement further demonstrates the maturity and reliability of our Project through the regular cadence of issuance and eligibility,” said Michael Costa, Chief Executive Officer of Base Carbon. “DelAgua’s consistent operational expertise and execution of the Project continue to strengthen our market position, with fully CORSIA-eligible inventories available to meet aviation compliance demand,” added Costa.

About Base Carbon

Base Carbon provides capital, development expertise and management operating resources to projects involved in the global carbon markets. We endeavor to be the preferred carbon project partner in providing capital and management resources to carbon removal and reduction projects globally and, where appropriate, will utilize technologies within the evolving environmental industries to enhance efficiencies, commercial credibility, and trading transparency. For more information, please visit www.basecarbon.com.

Media and Investor Inquiries 

Base Carbon Inc. 
Investor Relations 
Tel: +1 647 952 3979 
E-mail: investorrelations@basecarbon.com

Media Inquiries 
E-mail: media@basecarbon.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information

This press release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the focus of Base Carbon’s business, the expected issuance and timing of carbon credits, the future application of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, the Article 6 Authorized label, the CORSIA-eligible label and market reaction thereto, the outcome of current carbon credit sale processes and the ability to monetize or sell carbon credits and the receipt of proceeds from the disposition of carbon credits or revenue sharing arrangements, the implementation of the CORSIA framework and timing of eligibility and participation of carbon credits and carbon credit methodologies thereunder, and the market demand and price of CORSIA-eligible carbon credits. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “contemplates”, “believes”, “projects”, “plans”, “seeks” or variations of such words and similar expressions or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “will” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management’s expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance, results, or achievements.

Although management believes that the anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information are based upon reasonable assumptions and expectations, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information because it involves assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

In respect of the Rwanda cookstoves project, certain factors that influence the commercial success of such project, including the timing and number of expected carbon credits, include among other things: (i) the Company has retained industry leading experts/consultants/advisors to assist with the evaluation, planning, negotiation and execution of such project, (ii) the work product, including monitoring reports, of each project’s validation and verification body, (iii) project carbon credit market prices, (iv) the verification of ongoing project monitoring reports and issuance of carbon credits by Verra, and (v) changes to laws, regulation or policies in applicable jurisdictions.

In respect of the Rwanda cookstoves project, certain assumptions that influence the commercial success of such project, including the timing and number of expected carbon credits, include among other things: (i) distributed cookstoves perform to specification when used and participating households use the devices as contemplated by project estimates, (ii) the Company’s in-country project partners perform their obligations in connection with the development and operation of the project, (iii) there is no further changes in the project methodologies used by the applicable carbon credit registry or otherwise adopted by project proponents which results in less carbon credits being issuable, (iv) positive market recognition of the attributes linked to the Company’s carbon credits (such as project methodologies and changes thereto) and acceptance of such carbon credits by emissions trading schemes or compliance programs such as CORSIA, and (v) continued participant involvement and public support, including that of applicable governmental authorities, of the voluntary and compliance carbon markets.

The forward-looking statements made herein are subject to a variety of risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual events or results to differ materially and adversely from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Specific reference is made to the management’s discussion and analysis for the Company’s quarter ended June 30, 2026 and the most recent Annual Information Form on file with the Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities (and available on www.sedarplus.ca) for a more detailed discussion of some of the factors underlying forward-looking statements and the risks that may affect the Company’s ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

Should one or more of the risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual events or results may vary materially and adversely from those described in the forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is provided as of the date of this press release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Dr. Houvras brings over two decades of executive leadership across premier industry and academic research institutions in clinical development, translational medicine and immuno-oncology

WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Xilio Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: XLO), a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing masked immuno-oncology therapies for people living with cancer, today announced the appointment of Dr. Yariv Houvras as chief medical officer.

“We are thrilled to welcome Yariv at this exciting time for Xilio as we advance XTX501, our bispecific PD-1 / masked IL-2, in the clinic and our next generation of multi-specific, masked T cell engagers,” said René Russo, Pharm.D., president and chief executive officer of Xilio. “Yariv is an accomplished physician-scientist with a proven track record of leading complex global clinical development programs from first-in-human studies through registrational Phase 3 trials and regulatory approvals. His deep scientific rigor and expertise in immuno-oncology will be invaluable as we continue towards our goal of unlocking the full potential of our pipeline of masked I-O therapies.”

“I believe Xilio’s best-in-class masking technology and protein engineering capabilities have tremendous potential to deliver transformative, tumor-selective I-O therapies,” said Dr. Houvras. “In the near-term, I am particularly excited about the potential for XTX501 as a backbone therapy for oncology, and I look forward to building upon Xilio’s strong clinical foundation and working closely with the company’s talented team.”

Yariv J. Houvras, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Houvras brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across premier industry and academic research institutions in clinical development, translational medicine and immuno-oncology, including hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Prior to joining Xilio, he served as senior vice president of clinical and translational development of Tubulis, GmbH (Tubulis) through its acquisition by Gilead Sciences, Inc. At Tubulis, Dr. Houvras was the global head of clinical development and was responsible for scientific and medical oversight of Tubulis’ antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) programs in solid tumors. In this role, he led multiple first-in-human and registration-enabling clinical studies. Prior to Tubulis, he served as senior medical director of hematology and translational sciences at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. where he was the physician for linvoseltamab, a bispecific T cell engager targeting BCMA and CD3, from first-in-human studies through accelerated and conditional regulatory approval in the U.S. and European Union. Earlier in his career, Dr. Houvras served in academic roles of increasing responsibility at Weill Cornell Medical College and Harvard Medical School. He completed his internal medicine residency at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and his medical oncology and hematology fellowships at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and MGH. In addition, Dr. Houvras has served on various leadership boards, including Director of the International Thyroid Oncology Group, and he has authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications in journals such as Nature, Cell and the Journal of Clinical Oncology. He received his B.S. in biology and English literature from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and an M.D. and Ph.D. from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

About Xilio Therapeutics

Xilio Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing masked immuno-oncology (I-O) therapies with the goal of significantly improving outcomes for people living with cancer without the systemic side effects of current I-O treatments. Leveraging our clinically-validated masking technology and capabilities, Xilio is developing I-O therapies designed to selectively activate within the tumor microenvironment to achieve durable efficacy without the severe side effects associated with systemically active I-O agents. Learn more by visiting www.xiliotx.com and follow us on LinkedIn (Xilio Therapeutics, Inc.).

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations, including, without limitation, statements regarding plans, expectations, development timelines and anticipated milestones for Xilio’s programs, including advancing XTX501 and the company’s next generation of multi-specific T cell engagers; the potential for XTX501 as a backbone therapy for oncology; and Xilio’s strategy, goals, business plans and focus, including the potential to deliver transformative, tumor-selective I-O therapies and to unlock the value of the company’s pipeline of such therapies. The words “aim,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “seek,” “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 important risks, uncertainties and other 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, risks related to general market conditions and geopolitical uncertainties; risks and uncertainties related to ongoing and planned research and development activities, including initiating, conducting or completing preclinical studies and clinical trials and the timing and results of such preclinical studies or clinical trials; the delay of any current or planned preclinical studies or clinical trials or the development of Xilio’s current or future product candidates; Xilio’s ability to obtain and maintain sufficient preclinical and clinical supply of current or future product candidates; initial, preliminary, interim or retrospective preclinical or clinical data or results may not be replicated in or predictive of future preclinical or clinical data or results; Xilio’s ability to successfully demonstrate the safety and efficacy of its product candidates and gain approval of its product candidates on a timely basis, if at all; results from preclinical studies or clinical trials for Xilio’s product candidates may not support further development of such product candidates; actions of regulatory agencies may affect the initiation, timing and progress of current or future clinical trials; Xilio’s ability to obtain, maintain and enforce patent and other intellectual property protection for current or future product candidates; Xilio’s need to obtain additional cash resources to advance its pipeline of masked I-O molecules; the impact of international trade policies on Xilio’s business, including U.S. and China trade policies; and Xilio’s ability to maintain its collaboration and license agreements with AbbVie and Gilead. These and other risks and uncertainties are described in greater detail in the sections entitled “Risk Factor Summary” and “Risk Factors” in Xilio’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including Xilio’s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and any other filings that Xilio has made or may make with the SEC in the future. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent Xilio’s views only as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Except as required by law, Xilio explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

This press release contains hyperlinks to information that is not deemed to be incorporated by reference in this press release.

Investor Contact  
Alex Lobo, Precision AQ
alex.lobo@precisionaq.com

Media Contact  
Josie Butler, 1AB
josie@1abmedia.com

Dr. Houvras brings over two decades of executive leadership across premier industry and academic research institutions in clinical development, translational medicine and immuno-oncology

WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Xilio Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: XLO), a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing masked immuno-oncology therapies for people living with cancer, today announced the appointment of Dr. Yariv Houvras as chief medical officer.

“We are thrilled to welcome Yariv at this exciting time for Xilio as we advance XTX501, our bispecific PD-1 / masked IL-2, in the clinic and our next generation of multi-specific, masked T cell engagers,” said René Russo, Pharm.D., president and chief executive officer of Xilio. “Yariv is an accomplished physician-scientist with a proven track record of leading complex global clinical development programs from first-in-human studies through registrational Phase 3 trials and regulatory approvals. His deep scientific rigor and expertise in immuno-oncology will be invaluable as we continue towards our goal of unlocking the full potential of our pipeline of masked I-O therapies.”

“I believe Xilio’s best-in-class masking technology and protein engineering capabilities have tremendous potential to deliver transformative, tumor-selective I-O therapies,” said Dr. Houvras. “In the near-term, I am particularly excited about the potential for XTX501 as a backbone therapy for oncology, and I look forward to building upon Xilio’s strong clinical foundation and working closely with the company’s talented team.”

Yariv J. Houvras, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Houvras brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across premier industry and academic research institutions in clinical development, translational medicine and immuno-oncology, including hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Prior to joining Xilio, he served as senior vice president of clinical and translational development of Tubulis, GmbH (Tubulis) through its acquisition by Gilead Sciences, Inc. At Tubulis, Dr. Houvras was the global head of clinical development and was responsible for scientific and medical oversight of Tubulis’ antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) programs in solid tumors. In this role, he led multiple first-in-human and registration-enabling clinical studies. Prior to Tubulis, he served as senior medical director of hematology and translational sciences at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. where he was the physician for linvoseltamab, a bispecific T cell engager targeting BCMA and CD3, from first-in-human studies through accelerated and conditional regulatory approval in the U.S. and European Union. Earlier in his career, Dr. Houvras served in academic roles of increasing responsibility at Weill Cornell Medical College and Harvard Medical School. He completed his internal medicine residency at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and his medical oncology and hematology fellowships at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and MGH. In addition, Dr. Houvras has served on various leadership boards, including Director of the International Thyroid Oncology Group, and he has authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications in journals such as Nature, Cell and the Journal of Clinical Oncology. He received his B.S. in biology and English literature from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and an M.D. and Ph.D. from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

About Xilio Therapeutics

Xilio Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing masked immuno-oncology (I-O) therapies with the goal of significantly improving outcomes for people living with cancer without the systemic side effects of current I-O treatments. Leveraging our clinically-validated masking technology and capabilities, Xilio is developing I-O therapies designed to selectively activate within the tumor microenvironment to achieve durable efficacy without the severe side effects associated with systemically active I-O agents. Learn more by visiting www.xiliotx.com and follow us on LinkedIn (Xilio Therapeutics, Inc.).

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations, including, without limitation, statements regarding plans, expectations, development timelines and anticipated milestones for Xilio’s programs, including advancing XTX501 and the company’s next generation of multi-specific T cell engagers; the potential for XTX501 as a backbone therapy for oncology; and Xilio’s strategy, goals, business plans and focus, including the potential to deliver transformative, tumor-selective I-O therapies and to unlock the value of the company’s pipeline of such therapies. The words “aim,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “seek,” “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 important risks, uncertainties and other 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, risks related to general market conditions and geopolitical uncertainties; risks and uncertainties related to ongoing and planned research and development activities, including initiating, conducting or completing preclinical studies and clinical trials and the timing and results of such preclinical studies or clinical trials; the delay of any current or planned preclinical studies or clinical trials or the development of Xilio’s current or future product candidates; Xilio’s ability to obtain and maintain sufficient preclinical and clinical supply of current or future product candidates; initial, preliminary, interim or retrospective preclinical or clinical data or results may not be replicated in or predictive of future preclinical or clinical data or results; Xilio’s ability to successfully demonstrate the safety and efficacy of its product candidates and gain approval of its product candidates on a timely basis, if at all; results from preclinical studies or clinical trials for Xilio’s product candidates may not support further development of such product candidates; actions of regulatory agencies may affect the initiation, timing and progress of current or future clinical trials; Xilio’s ability to obtain, maintain and enforce patent and other intellectual property protection for current or future product candidates; Xilio’s need to obtain additional cash resources to advance its pipeline of masked I-O molecules; the impact of international trade policies on Xilio’s business, including U.S. and China trade policies; and Xilio’s ability to maintain its collaboration and license agreements with AbbVie and Gilead. These and other risks and uncertainties are described in greater detail in the sections entitled “Risk Factor Summary” and “Risk Factors” in Xilio’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including Xilio’s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and any other filings that Xilio has made or may make with the SEC in the future. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent Xilio’s views only as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Except as required by law, Xilio explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

This press release contains hyperlinks to information that is not deemed to be incorporated by reference in this press release.

Investor Contact  
Alex Lobo, Precision AQ
alex.lobo@precisionaq.com

Media Contact  
Josie Butler, 1AB
josie@1abmedia.com

– Stable or increased weight was twice as common among pancreatic cancer patients in the atebimetinib + mGnP study, compared to those in a benchmark study –

– Patients with stable or increased weight at three months had significantly longer overall survival than patients who lost weight at three months –

– Overall survival was comparable among patients with moderate and deeper tumor volume reductions, suggesting presence of tumor reduction may be more important than depth of response –

– Findings support atebimetinib’s mechanisms designed to extend survival including tumor volume reduction and body mass preservation –

NEW YORK, Sept. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Immuneering Corporation (Nasdaq: IMRX), a late-stage clinical oncology company focused on keeping cancer patients alive and helping them thrive, today announced the presentation of new data at the 2026 AACR Conference on Pancreatic Cancer in San Diego, California. The findings, presented by Peter Vu, M.D., MHA, UC San Diego Health, support a potential dual mechanism of action through which atebimetinib may improve survival in pancreatic cancer by both reducing tumor volume and preserving body mass.

“We designed atebimetinib to do several important things at the same time: to shrink tumors and to counteract the tumor-driven weight loss (known as cachexia) that harms many cancer patients, all while minimizing side effects,” said Ben Zeskind, Ph.D., Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Immuneering. “We already reported that 84% of evaluable patients treated with atebimetinib + mGnP have stable or increasing weight. Now we can add that these pancreatic cancer patients in our study were twice as likely to have stable or increasing weight as those in a benchmark study, and the patients in our study with stable or increasing weight had longer overall survival than those who lost weight. We believe reduction in tumor volume, maximization of tolerability, and preservation of body mass all contributed to the compelling 17.3-month median overall survival we reported at ASCO 2026 in 55 first-line pancreatic cancer patients treated with atebimetinib + mGnP in our Phase 2a study. We are excited to now be evaluating atebimetinib + mGnP in our ongoing Phase 3 MAPKeeper 301 clinical trial, which is actively enrolling first-line pancreatic cancer patients.”

“Cachexia is an especially important problem in pancreatic cancer and can have a profound impact on patients’ survival and quality of life,” said Peter Vu, M.D., MHA, UC San Diego Health and lead author of the poster. “In this exploratory analysis, patients who maintained their weight at three months had longer overall survival than those who lost weight, and two-thirds of patients with anorexia symptoms at baseline reported improvement while on treatment. Having enrolled a number of patients on this study, I’ve been encouraged by how well the combination has been tolerated. These findings support further study of whether atebimetinib may benefit patients beyond conventional measures of tumor response, and I’m hopeful the Phase 3 MAPKeeper 301 trial will help define its role as a new treatment option for pancreatic cancer.”

The poster, entitled “Atebimetinib Reduces Tumor Volume and Preserves Body Mass: A Dual Mechanism for Extended Survival in Pancreatic Cancer,” evaluated the relationship between body mass preservation, tumor volume reduction and overall survival in first-line pancreatic cancer patients treated with atebimetinib in combination with modified gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (mGnP) in a single-arm Phase 2a study, using exploratory, post-hoc analyses with the same data cutoff date as the ASCO presentation (April 24, 2026). Highlights of the data include:

• Median overall survival of 17.3 months was previously reported in 55 first-line pancreatic cancer patients treated with atebimetinib + mGnP, and 84% of evaluable patients had stable or increased weight at three months. In the new analysis presented at AACR Pancreatic Cancer 2026, the proportion of patients demonstrating stable or increasing weight was approximately two-fold higher among atebimetinib + mGnP-treated patients evaluable for weight trajectory analysis (n=23) compared with patients from a published benchmark study (Fuller S, et al, JNCI, 117:8, 2025, 1729–1732, https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djaf030). Median weight trajectory stabilized during atebimetinib treatment.
• Among first-line pancreatic cancer patients treated with atebimetinib + mGnP, those with stable or increased weight at three months had significantly longer overall survival than patients who experienced weight loss at three months (HR=3.13; p=0.049). Median overall survival had not been reached in the weight-stable or weight-gain group after median follow-up of 15.2 months.
• Among patients with low baseline scores of 37 or below on the FAACT-Anorexia Cachexia Subscale (ACS), 66% achieved an improvement of at least four points on this patient-reported outcome while on treatment. These improvements were observed across a range of RECIST responses.
• The analysis also evaluated the relationship between tumor volume reduction and overall survival. Overall survival among patients with deeper tumor volume reductions, defined as a sum of longest diameters (SLD) reduction of at least 30%, was comparable to overall survival among patients with moderate tumor volume reductions of between 0% and 30%. Median overall survival was not reached in either group. In contrast, median overall survival was reached among patients without a measured reduction in SLD. The findings suggest that achieving tumor volume reduction may be more important to overall survival than the depth of tumor reduction and that clinically meaningful benefit may extend to patients whose tumor shrinkage does not meet the threshold for a RECIST partial response.

Following presentation, the poster will be available on the publications section of Immuneering’s website at https://immuneering.com/publications.

Atebimetinib in combination with mGnP is currently being evaluated in a Phase 3 MAPKeeper 301 clinical trial in patients with first-line pancreatic cancer (NCT07562152).

About Immuneering Corporation
Immuneering is a late-stage clinical oncology company dedicated to keeping cancer patients alive and helping them thrive, with an initial focus on patients with RAS, RAF, and other MAPK-driven cancers. The Company is developing an entirely new category of cancer medicines, Deep Cyclic Inhibitors, designed to improve overall survival by three mechanisms: shrinking tumors durably with less resistance, preserving body mass by countering cachexia, and minimizing side effects to maximize performance status and combinability. Immuneering’s lead product candidate, atebimetinib, is an oral, once-daily Deep Cyclic Inhibitor of MEK, designed to improve survival across many cancer indications. The Company is conducting a global randomized pivotal trial, MAPKeeper 301, evaluating atebimetinib in combination with chemotherapy in first-line pancreatic cancer patients. The Company’s development pipeline also includes additional combination opportunities and preclinical stage programs. For more information, please visit www.immuneering.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding: the treatment potential of atebimetinib, alone or in combination with other agents to treat cancer including modified Gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (mGnP); the finding that presence of tumor reduction may be more important than depth of response; atebimetinib’s design mechanisms and the relationship between body mass preservation and tumor volume reduction to extend survival in pancreatic cancer.

These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: we are a late-stage clinical oncology company with a limited operating history and have not completed any registrational clinical trials; we have incurred significant losses, are not currently profitable and may never become profitable; limitations on our cash runway and potential increases in expenditures; our need for additional funding; our unproven approach to therapeutic intervention; our ability to address regulatory questions and changing regulatory standards, and the uncertainties relating to regulatory filings, reviews and approvals; the lengthy, expensive, and uncertain process of clinical drug development, including the uncertainty of whether positive preclinical or early clinical efficacy and safety results are confirmed in later-stage trials, potential delays in activation of trial sites or enrollment of trial participants, or failure to obtain regulatory approvals; our reliance on third parties and collaborators to conduct our clinical trials, manufacture our product candidates, and develop and commercialize our product candidates, if approved; failure to compete successfully against other drug companies; protection of our proprietary technology and the confidentiality of our trade secrets; potential lawsuits for, or claims of, infringement of third-party intellectual property or challenges to the ownership of our intellectual property; our patents being found invalid or unenforceable; costs and resources of operating as a public company; and unfavorable or no analyst research or reports.

These and other important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2026, and our other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Investor Contact:
Laurence Watts
New Street Investor Relations
laurence@newstreetir.com

Media Contact:
David Caouette
dcaouette@immuneering.com

– Stable or increased weight was twice as common among pancreatic cancer patients in the atebimetinib + mGnP study, compared to those in a benchmark study –

– Patients with stable or increased weight at three months had significantly longer overall survival than patients who lost weight at three months –

– Overall survival was comparable among patients with moderate and deeper tumor volume reductions, suggesting presence of tumor reduction may be more important than depth of response –

– Findings support atebimetinib’s mechanisms designed to extend survival including tumor volume reduction and body mass preservation –

NEW YORK, Sept. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Immuneering Corporation (Nasdaq: IMRX), a late-stage clinical oncology company focused on keeping cancer patients alive and helping them thrive, today announced the presentation of new data at the 2026 AACR Conference on Pancreatic Cancer in San Diego, California. The findings, presented by Peter Vu, M.D., MHA, UC San Diego Health, support a potential dual mechanism of action through which atebimetinib may improve survival in pancreatic cancer by both reducing tumor volume and preserving body mass.

“We designed atebimetinib to do several important things at the same time: to shrink tumors and to counteract the tumor-driven weight loss (known as cachexia) that harms many cancer patients, all while minimizing side effects,” said Ben Zeskind, Ph.D., Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Immuneering. “We already reported that 84% of evaluable patients treated with atebimetinib + mGnP have stable or increasing weight. Now we can add that these pancreatic cancer patients in our study were twice as likely to have stable or increasing weight as those in a benchmark study, and the patients in our study with stable or increasing weight had longer overall survival than those who lost weight. We believe reduction in tumor volume, maximization of tolerability, and preservation of body mass all contributed to the compelling 17.3-month median overall survival we reported at ASCO 2026 in 55 first-line pancreatic cancer patients treated with atebimetinib + mGnP in our Phase 2a study. We are excited to now be evaluating atebimetinib + mGnP in our ongoing Phase 3 MAPKeeper 301 clinical trial, which is actively enrolling first-line pancreatic cancer patients.”

“Cachexia is an especially important problem in pancreatic cancer and can have a profound impact on patients’ survival and quality of life,” said Peter Vu, M.D., MHA, UC San Diego Health and lead author of the poster. “In this exploratory analysis, patients who maintained their weight at three months had longer overall survival than those who lost weight, and two-thirds of patients with anorexia symptoms at baseline reported improvement while on treatment. Having enrolled a number of patients on this study, I’ve been encouraged by how well the combination has been tolerated. These findings support further study of whether atebimetinib may benefit patients beyond conventional measures of tumor response, and I’m hopeful the Phase 3 MAPKeeper 301 trial will help define its role as a new treatment option for pancreatic cancer.”

The poster, entitled “Atebimetinib Reduces Tumor Volume and Preserves Body Mass: A Dual Mechanism for Extended Survival in Pancreatic Cancer,” evaluated the relationship between body mass preservation, tumor volume reduction and overall survival in first-line pancreatic cancer patients treated with atebimetinib in combination with modified gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (mGnP) in a single-arm Phase 2a study, using exploratory, post-hoc analyses with the same data cutoff date as the ASCO presentation (April 24, 2026). Highlights of the data include:

• Median overall survival of 17.3 months was previously reported in 55 first-line pancreatic cancer patients treated with atebimetinib + mGnP, and 84% of evaluable patients had stable or increased weight at three months. In the new analysis presented at AACR Pancreatic Cancer 2026, the proportion of patients demonstrating stable or increasing weight was approximately two-fold higher among atebimetinib + mGnP-treated patients evaluable for weight trajectory analysis (n=23) compared with patients from a published benchmark study (Fuller S, et al, JNCI, 117:8, 2025, 1729–1732, https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djaf030). Median weight trajectory stabilized during atebimetinib treatment.
• Among first-line pancreatic cancer patients treated with atebimetinib + mGnP, those with stable or increased weight at three months had significantly longer overall survival than patients who experienced weight loss at three months (HR=3.13; p=0.049). Median overall survival had not been reached in the weight-stable or weight-gain group after median follow-up of 15.2 months.
• Among patients with low baseline scores of 37 or below on the FAACT-Anorexia Cachexia Subscale (ACS), 66% achieved an improvement of at least four points on this patient-reported outcome while on treatment. These improvements were observed across a range of RECIST responses.
• The analysis also evaluated the relationship between tumor volume reduction and overall survival. Overall survival among patients with deeper tumor volume reductions, defined as a sum of longest diameters (SLD) reduction of at least 30%, was comparable to overall survival among patients with moderate tumor volume reductions of between 0% and 30%. Median overall survival was not reached in either group. In contrast, median overall survival was reached among patients without a measured reduction in SLD. The findings suggest that achieving tumor volume reduction may be more important to overall survival than the depth of tumor reduction and that clinically meaningful benefit may extend to patients whose tumor shrinkage does not meet the threshold for a RECIST partial response.

Following presentation, the poster will be available on the publications section of Immuneering’s website at https://immuneering.com/publications.

Atebimetinib in combination with mGnP is currently being evaluated in a Phase 3 MAPKeeper 301 clinical trial in patients with first-line pancreatic cancer (NCT07562152).

About Immuneering Corporation
Immuneering is a late-stage clinical oncology company dedicated to keeping cancer patients alive and helping them thrive, with an initial focus on patients with RAS, RAF, and other MAPK-driven cancers. The Company is developing an entirely new category of cancer medicines, Deep Cyclic Inhibitors, designed to improve overall survival by three mechanisms: shrinking tumors durably with less resistance, preserving body mass by countering cachexia, and minimizing side effects to maximize performance status and combinability. Immuneering’s lead product candidate, atebimetinib, is an oral, once-daily Deep Cyclic Inhibitor of MEK, designed to improve survival across many cancer indications. The Company is conducting a global randomized pivotal trial, MAPKeeper 301, evaluating atebimetinib in combination with chemotherapy in first-line pancreatic cancer patients. The Company’s development pipeline also includes additional combination opportunities and preclinical stage programs. For more information, please visit www.immuneering.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding: the treatment potential of atebimetinib, alone or in combination with other agents to treat cancer including modified Gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (mGnP); the finding that presence of tumor reduction may be more important than depth of response; atebimetinib’s design mechanisms and the relationship between body mass preservation and tumor volume reduction to extend survival in pancreatic cancer.

These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: we are a late-stage clinical oncology company with a limited operating history and have not completed any registrational clinical trials; we have incurred significant losses, are not currently profitable and may never become profitable; limitations on our cash runway and potential increases in expenditures; our need for additional funding; our unproven approach to therapeutic intervention; our ability to address regulatory questions and changing regulatory standards, and the uncertainties relating to regulatory filings, reviews and approvals; the lengthy, expensive, and uncertain process of clinical drug development, including the uncertainty of whether positive preclinical or early clinical efficacy and safety results are confirmed in later-stage trials, potential delays in activation of trial sites or enrollment of trial participants, or failure to obtain regulatory approvals; our reliance on third parties and collaborators to conduct our clinical trials, manufacture our product candidates, and develop and commercialize our product candidates, if approved; failure to compete successfully against other drug companies; protection of our proprietary technology and the confidentiality of our trade secrets; potential lawsuits for, or claims of, infringement of third-party intellectual property or challenges to the ownership of our intellectual property; our patents being found invalid or unenforceable; costs and resources of operating as a public company; and unfavorable or no analyst research or reports.

These and other important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2026, and our other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Investor Contact:
Laurence Watts
New Street Investor Relations
laurence@newstreetir.com

Media Contact:
David Caouette
dcaouette@immuneering.com

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — King Copper Discovery Corp. (“King Copper” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: KCP, OTCQB: TBXXF, FSE: 3RIO) is pleased to announce that Dr. David Burrows has joined the Company’s Technical Advisory Team following his review of historical drill core, geological data and the broader exploration opportunity at the Colquemayo Copper Project in southern Peru.

Dr. Burrows brings more than 30 years of global exploration experience, including as Chief Geologist, Global Exploration at Vale for 16 years (2006-2022) and before that at Inco Exploration (1990-2006). His career has included extensive exploration experience across porphyry Cu-Au-(Mo) and high-sulphidation epithermal systems in Indonesia, the Philippines, Peru and Chile.

Importantly, Dr. Burrows was a member of the discovery team responsible for the Onto Cu-Au discovery in Indonesia, which received the 2025 PDAC Thayer Lindsley Award for an international mineral discovery. He is also co-author of “The Onto Cu-Au Discovery, Eastern Sumbawa, Indonesia: A Large, Middle Pleistocene Lithocap-Hosted High-Sulfidation Covellite-Pyrite Porphyry Deposit.”

His experience evaluating large-scale porphyry and high-sulphidation systems complements King Copper’s ongoing technical work at Colquemayo, where the Company has identified five priority porphyry targets beneath and adjacent to an extensive high-sulphidation lithocap and historically drilled copper mineralization.

Dr. Burrows holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Economic Geology from the University of Toronto and a B.A. in Natural Sciences (Geology) from Trinity College Dublin. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Geology at Laurentian University.

Dr. Burrows joins a technical team that includes Doug Kirwin, Lead Strategic and Technical Advisor, and Chico Azevedo, Vice President of Exploration.

Jonathan Richards, Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are very pleased to welcome David to King Copper Discovery’s Technical Advisory Team. His extensive experience with porphyry and high-sulphidation systems, including his involvement in the award winning Onto Cu-Au discovery, is highly relevant to the geological setting we are evaluating at the Colquemayo Copper Project. David has had the opportunity to review our historical drill core and technical data, and his perspective will be valuable as we continue to refine our geological model and advance our priority targets toward drilling. With David joining Doug Kirwin and Chico Azevedo, we have assembled an exceptional depth of global discovery and exploration experience around Colquemayo.”

The appointment follows a period of significant technical and corporate advancement at Colquemayo, including the recent expansion of King Copper’s land position across the broader Colquemayo copper district.

King Copper Technical Team Leadership

Chico Azevedo – Vice President of Exploration

• Former Exploration Manager, IAMGOLD, Argentina
• Former South America Exploration Manager, Gold Fields, where he led exploration teams during the discovery and development of the Salares Norte gold-silver deposit and advancement of the Chucapaca gold-copper-silver deposit (currently the San Gabriel mine, operated by Buenaventura).
• Past President, Society of Economic Geologists
• Recipient of the SEG 2026 Ralp W. Marsden Award

Doug Kirwin – Lead Strategic and Technical Advisor

• Former Executive Vice President of Ivanhoe Mines (1996–2012)
• Co-recipient of the 2004 PDAC Thayer Lindsley Award for Best Global Discovery as a member of the joint discovery team responsible for the Hugo Dummett orebody at Oyu Tolgoi
• Past President, Society of Economic Geologists
• Adjunct Professor of Geology, James Cook University

Dr. David Burrows – Technical Advisor

• Former Chief Geologist, Global Exploration, Vale
• More than 30 years of global exploration experience, including extensive work on porphyry and high-sulphidation systems
• Member of the Onto Cu-Au discovery team, recipient of the 2025 PDAC Thayer Lindsley Award for Best Global Discovery
• Adjunct Professor of Geology, Laurentian University

Advancing Colquemayo

King Copper continues to advance Colquemayo toward its inaugural drill program, with recent progress including:

• Relogging and reinterpretation of more than 20,000 metres of historical drill core and integration into an updated 3D geological model.
• Identification of five priority porphyry targets across the approximately 12km by 4km high-sulphidation lithocap.
• Recent approval of Declaración de Impacto Ambiental (“DIA”) permit that allows for 36,000 metres of diamond drilling from 40 drill platforms across 59 drill holes.
• Drill contractor selection and remaining pre-mobilization requirements advancing.

The fully funded drill program is designed to systematically test the broader potential of the Colquemayo mineral
ized system.

On Behalf of the Company,
Jonathan Richards, Chief Executive Officer and Director.

Contact Information:
Harp Gosal | Director of Capital Markets & Communications
E: hgosal@kingcopperdiscovery.com
Website: www.kingcopperdiscovery.com
Address: #1012-1030 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC V6E 3M5

For Investor Relations enquiries, please contact +1 604 218 1142

Statements

About King Copper Discovery Corp and Our Projects: King Copper is a TSXV-listed exploration company focused on the Colquemayo copper-gold project in South America. The Company is led by a team responsible for multiple copper-gold-silver discoveries.

Forward Looking Statement: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements, including the expected closing date of the Financing, the investor’s expected ownership interest in King Copper and the expected use of proceeds from the Financing. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words “expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “projects”, “potential” and similar expressions, or that events or conditions “will”, “would”, “may”, “could” or “should” occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the receipt of regulatory approvals, market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions, as well as legal, social, and economic conditions in Argentina and Peru, where the Company’s mineral exploration properties are located. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company’s management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release or has in any way approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — King Copper Discovery Corp. (“King Copper” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: KCP, OTCQB: TBXXF, FSE: 3RIO) is pleased to announce that Dr. David Burrows has joined the Company’s Technical Advisory Team following his review of historical drill core, geological data and the broader exploration opportunity at the Colquemayo Copper Project in southern Peru.

Dr. Burrows brings more than 30 years of global exploration experience, including as Chief Geologist, Global Exploration at Vale for 16 years (2006-2022) and before that at Inco Exploration (1990-2006). His career has included extensive exploration experience across porphyry Cu-Au-(Mo) and high-sulphidation epithermal systems in Indonesia, the Philippines, Peru and Chile.

Importantly, Dr. Burrows was a member of the discovery team responsible for the Onto Cu-Au discovery in Indonesia, which received the 2025 PDAC Thayer Lindsley Award for an international mineral discovery. He is also co-author of “The Onto Cu-Au Discovery, Eastern Sumbawa, Indonesia: A Large, Middle Pleistocene Lithocap-Hosted High-Sulfidation Covellite-Pyrite Porphyry Deposit.”

His experience evaluating large-scale porphyry and high-sulphidation systems complements King Copper’s ongoing technical work at Colquemayo, where the Company has identified five priority porphyry targets beneath and adjacent to an extensive high-sulphidation lithocap and historically drilled copper mineralization.

Dr. Burrows holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Economic Geology from the University of Toronto and a B.A. in Natural Sciences (Geology) from Trinity College Dublin. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Geology at Laurentian University.

Dr. Burrows joins a technical team that includes Doug Kirwin, Lead Strategic and Technical Advisor, and Chico Azevedo, Vice President of Exploration.

Jonathan Richards, Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are very pleased to welcome David to King Copper Discovery’s Technical Advisory Team. His extensive experience with porphyry and high-sulphidation systems, including his involvement in the award winning Onto Cu-Au discovery, is highly relevant to the geological setting we are evaluating at the Colquemayo Copper Project. David has had the opportunity to review our historical drill core and technical data, and his perspective will be valuable as we continue to refine our geological model and advance our priority targets toward drilling. With David joining Doug Kirwin and Chico Azevedo, we have assembled an exceptional depth of global discovery and exploration experience around Colquemayo.”

The appointment follows a period of significant technical and corporate advancement at Colquemayo, including the recent expansion of King Copper’s land position across the broader Colquemayo copper district.

King Copper Technical Team Leadership

Chico Azevedo – Vice President of Exploration

• Former Exploration Manager, IAMGOLD, Argentina
• Former South America Exploration Manager, Gold Fields, where he led exploration teams during the discovery and development of the Salares Norte gold-silver deposit and advancement of the Chucapaca gold-copper-silver deposit (currently the San Gabriel mine, operated by Buenaventura).
• Past President, Society of Economic Geologists
• Recipient of the SEG 2026 Ralp W. Marsden Award

Doug Kirwin – Lead Strategic and Technical Advisor

• Former Executive Vice President of Ivanhoe Mines (1996–2012)
• Co-recipient of the 2004 PDAC Thayer Lindsley Award for Best Global Discovery as a member of the joint discovery team responsible for the Hugo Dummett orebody at Oyu Tolgoi
• Past President, Society of Economic Geologists
• Adjunct Professor of Geology, James Cook University

Dr. David Burrows – Technical Advisor

• Former Chief Geologist, Global Exploration, Vale
• More than 30 years of global exploration experience, including extensive work on porphyry and high-sulphidation systems
• Member of the Onto Cu-Au discovery team, recipient of the 2025 PDAC Thayer Lindsley Award for Best Global Discovery
• Adjunct Professor of Geology, Laurentian University

Advancing Colquemayo

King Copper continues to advance Colquemayo toward its inaugural drill program, with recent progress including:

• Relogging and reinterpretation of more than 20,000 metres of historical drill core and integration into an updated 3D geological model.
• Identification of five priority porphyry targets across the approximately 12km by 4km high-sulphidation lithocap.
• Recent approval of Declaración de Impacto Ambiental (“DIA”) permit that allows for 36,000 metres of diamond drilling from 40 drill platforms across 59 drill holes.
• Drill contractor selection and remaining pre-mobilization requirements advancing.

The fully funded drill program is designed to systematically test the broader potential of the Colquemayo mineral
ized system.

On Behalf of the Company,
Jonathan Richards, Chief Executive Officer and Director.

Contact Information:
Harp Gosal | Director of Capital Markets & Communications
E: hgosal@kingcopperdiscovery.com
Website: www.kingcopperdiscovery.com
Address: #1012-1030 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC V6E 3M5

For Investor Relations enquiries, please contact +1 604 218 1142

Statements

About King Copper Discovery Corp and Our Projects: King Copper is a TSXV-listed exploration company focused on the Colquemayo copper-gold project in South America. The Company is led by a team responsible for multiple copper-gold-silver discoveries.

Forward Looking Statement: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements, including the expected closing date of the Financing, the investor’s expected ownership interest in King Copper and the expected use of proceeds from the Financing. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words “expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “projects”, “potential” and similar expressions, or that events or conditions “will”, “would”, “may”, “could” or “should” occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the receipt of regulatory approvals, market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions, as well as legal, social, and economic conditions in Argentina and Peru, where the Company’s mineral exploration properties are located. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company’s management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release or has in any way approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release.

NEW YORK, N.Y. and JERSEY CITY, N.J., Sept. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Valley National Bancorp (“Valley”) (NASDAQ: VLY) and Bluevine Inc. (“Bluevine”) announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement whereby Valley will acquire Bluevine, a leading nationwide digital banking platform for small businesses.

The acquisition directly aligns with Valley’s stated strategic priorities of enhancing its funding base, expanding its small business franchise, and accelerating its digital and artificial intelligence (“AI”) strategy. Bluevine will bring Valley a scaled, high-growth digital small business platform; $2.1 billion of low-cost, digitally-sourced deposits which Bluevine and Valley intend to grow over time; and an established suite of integrated banking, payments, lending and financial-management solutions designed for small businesses across the country. Additionally, Bluevine’s engineering, product, data science and AI talent will help accelerate Valley’s long-term technology strategy, which includes a focus on broader development of internal capabilities and less reliance on third-party software and service providers.

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey, Bluevine serves approximately 175,000 active small business customers and was voted 2026 Best Overall Small Business Bank by Money.com and 2026 Best Online Business Checking Account by NerdWallet. Bluevine has demonstrated momentum in building small business operating relationships, with platform-generated deposits increasing at an approximately 35% compound annual growth rate from 2023 through the second quarter of 2026. Approximately 99% of these deposits are currently from non-borrowing customers, which is expected to provide Valley with access to a diversified, relationship-driven source of core funding.

The transaction adds a nationwide digital acquisition channel to complement Valley’s long-standing relationship-led banking model. By gaining access to Valley’s branch network and broader treasury management, credit, insurance, wealth and capital markets solutions, Bluevine customers will benefit from a more holistic value proposition as clients of the combined organization. Valley’s existing small business customers will benefit from Bluevine’s industry-leading digital platform which combines business checking, payments, bill pay, invoicing, lending and financial-management capabilities in a unified experience for small businesses.

The acquisition will also accelerate Valley’s technology and AI strategy by adding approximately 180 research and development professionals and engineers, primarily located in established technology hubs like Redwood City, California; Jersey City, New Jersey; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Tel Aviv, Israel. Bluevine brings a highly capable engineering culture, modern technology architecture, and meaningful experience applying data and AI solutions to small business workflows. Owning these capabilities will give Valley greater control over its customer experience, more speed in bringing solutions to market, and a durable foundation for further innovation beyond Bluevine’s legacy small business focus areas.

Under the terms of the proposed transaction, Valley will acquire Bluevine for total consideration of approximately $340 million. The consideration is expected to consist of approximately 75% cash and 25% Valley common stock, subject to the terms of the definitive agreement and customary adjustments. Inclusive of expected synergies, the acquisition is expected to be approximately 8% accretive to estimated 2028 earnings per share. The transaction is also expected to result in approximately 5% tangible book value dilution at closing, with an estimated earn back period of approximately 3 years.

Ira Robbins, Valley’s Chairman, President & CEO commented that, “The acquisition of Bluevine directly advances the strategic priorities we have previously communicated to our shareholders. It is expected to enhance our core funding capabilities, add a proven small business growth platform and meaningfully accelerate our digital and AI capabilities. Bluevine has built an impressive franchise which has generated a diversified base of small business operating deposit relationships, a highly engaged customer community and a modern technology platform purpose-built for the needs of small businesses.” He also stated, “By combining Valley’s balance sheet and product capabilities with Bluevine’s digital platform and customer-acquisition engine, we can accelerate our aspiration to be the bank of choice for small businesses across the country. The combination also creates a compelling cross-sell opportunity to further deepen the scope of the current banking relationships across both Valley and Bluevine customer bases by delivering a broader set of products and an enhanced customer experience.”

Eyal Lifshitz, Co-Founder & CEO of Bluevine said, “Bluevine was founded to give small business owners the financial tools and digital experience they need to manage and grow their businesses. Valley shares that commitment and brings the balance sheet capacity, relationship banking expertise and broader capabilities necessary to support our customers through every stage of their journey. Together, we will be able to expand our impact while preserving the technology, customer focus and entrepreneurial culture that have driven Bluevine’s success. We look forward to joining Valley and continuing to enhance our small business banking platform.” Following the transaction close, Mr. Lifshitz will join Valley as Head of Small Business Banking.

The acquisition is expected to close in early 2027, subject to standard regulatory approvals, and the satisfaction or waiver of other customary closing conditions. An investor presentation with additional information about the transaction can be found on Valley’s website at www.valley.com.

Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. is serving as financial advisor to Valley and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is serving as legal counsel to Valley. Financial Technology Partners acted as the exclusive advisor to Bluevine and its Board of Directors in the sale to Valley. Sidley Austin LLP served as legal counsel to Bluevine.

Investor Conference Call

Valley executives will host a conference call at 8:30 AM Eastern Standard Time today to discuss this transaction. Those wishing to participate should pre-register using this link: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIecb95d105ce54ea584b76feeda2143b3 to receive the dial-in number and a personal PIN, which are required to access the conference call. The teleconference will also be webcast live at: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/udw2c42h.

About Valley

As the principal subsidiary of Valley National Bancorp (NASDAQ: VLY), Valley National Bank is a regional financial institution with over $66 billion in assets. Founded in 1927, Valley has more than 220 branch locations and commercial offices across New Jersey, New York, Florida, Alabama, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Arizona, while serving clients nationwide. Valley delivers a full range of consumer, commercial, and wealth management solutions designed to support everything from homeownership and business growth to long-term financial planning. Big enough to support complex financial needs and small enough to stay deeply connected, Valley is grounded in a relationship-led approach focused on understanding people first. That same relationship-led approach guides Valley’s commitment to community investment and responsible corporate citizenship. To learn more, visit www.valley.com or call the Valley Customer Care Center at 800-522-4100.

About Bluevine

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey, Bluevine provides an integrated suite of digital banking, payments, lending and financial-management solutions designed for small businesses. As of June 2026, Bluevine served approximately 175,000 active small business customers and had served more than 415,000 businesses since inception. Visit www.bluevine.com for more information.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The foregoing contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are not historical facts and include expressions about management’s confidence and strategies and management’s expectations about our business, new and existing programs and products, acquisitions, relationships, opportunities, taxation, technology, market conditions and economic expectations. These statements may be identified by forward-looking terminology such as “intend,” “should,” “expect,” “believe,” “position,” “view,” “opportunity,” “allow,” “continues,” “reflects,” “would,” “could,” “typically,” “usually,” “anticipate,” “may,” “estimate,” “outlook,” “project” or similar statements or variations of such terms. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. A detailed discussion of factors that could affect our results is included in our SEC filings, including Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. We undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in our expectations, except as required by law. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

Contacts:
Valley National Bancorp		Bluevine Inc.
Travis Lan		Eyal Lifshitz
Senior Executive Vice President and		Co-Founder and
Chief Financial Officer		Chief Executive Officer
973-686-5007		203-535-7170