NGM Bio to Present Safety and Pharmacokinetics Data from Phase 1 Study of NGM621 in Patients with Geographic Atrophy at American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) 2020 Virtual

--Humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody engineered to potently inhibit complement C3, with the potential for extended every eight-week dosing without pegylation--

--Phase 2 (CATALINA) study of NGM621 in patients with GA currently underway--

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Nov. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NGM Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. NGM, a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing transformative therapeutics for patients, today announced that data from its Phase 1 study of NGM621, a potent anti-complement C3 antibody, will be featured in a poster presentation at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) 2020 Virtual. The presentation will include detailed first-in-human safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics (PK) findings from single and multiple intravitreal injections of NGM621 in patients with geographic atrophy (GA).

Details of the poster presentation are as follows:

Abstract Title: Inhibition of Complement Component 3 in GA With NGM621: Phase 1 Dose-Escalation Study Results
Presenter Author: Charles C. Wykoff, M.D., Ph.D., Director of Research at Retina Consultants Houston and the Greater Houston Retina Research Foundation
Date and Time: Nov. 13, 2020 at 10:00 AM ET

All presentations will be available on the NGM Bio website at https://www.ngmbio.com/rd/presentations-and-publications/.

About NGM621 and Complement C3 Inhibition

NGM621 is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody engineered to potently inhibit complement C3, with the potential for extended every eight-week dosing without pegylation. In preclinical models, NGM621's high affinity binding to C3 has demonstrated the potential for potent C3 inhibition. In addition, in well validated animal models of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV), C3 inhibition has demonstrated the ability to reduce retinal vascular leakage, suggesting the potential for NGM621 to prevent CNV development.

C3 is a key component of the complement system, which helps orchestrate the body's response to infection and maintains tissue homeostasis. The complement cascade can be activated through its three distinct pathways – classical, lectin and alternative – all of which converge to activate C3. When this cascade is dysregulated, the immune response may lead to the development and progression of GA. Inhibition of C3 represents a promising therapeutic approach that broadly inhibits downstream effector functions triggered by the excessive activation of C3, including inflammation, activation of the adaptive immune system, opsonization (the marking of a pathogen to be destroyed by phagocytes, a type of immune cell), phagocytosis and cell lysis (cell death).

About NGM Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.

NGM is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel therapeutics based on scientific understanding of key biological pathways underlying liver and metabolic diseases, retinal diseases and cancer. We leverage our biology-centric drug discovery approach to uncover novel mechanisms of action and generate proprietary insights that enable us to move rapidly into proof-of-concept studies and deliver potential first-in-class medicines to patients. At NGM, we aspire to operate one of the most productive research and development engines in the biopharmaceutical industry, with multiple programs in clinical development. Visit us at www.ngmbio.com for more information.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "suggesting," "aspire," "potential," "engineered to" and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include those related to: the therapeutic potential and potential extended dosing of NGM621; NGM's ability to advance potentially transformative medicines for patients and other statements that are not historical fact. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on NGM's current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties, and actual results, performance or achievements of NGM could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the risk that NGM's ongoing or future clinical studies in humans may show that NGM621 is not a tolerable and effective treatment for geographic atrophy or that extended dosing with NGM621 is not possible and other risks and uncertainties affecting NGM and its development programs, as well as those discussed in the sections titled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in NGM's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 and future filings and reports that NGM makes from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, NGM assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements or to update the reasons if actual results differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements.