/EINPresswire.com/ -- HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwired - August 16, 2017) - Moleculin Biotech, Inc., (NASDAQ: MBRX) ("Moleculin" or the "Company"), a preclinical pharmaceutical company focused on the development of anti-cancer drug candidates, some of which are based on license agreements with The University of Texas System on behalf of the MD Anderson Cancer Center, today announced it has acquired WP1122 active drug compound it plans to study for the treatment of brain tumors.

Walter Klemp, CEO of Moleculin commented: "There has been a lot of excitement recently surrounding the WP1122 technology and its potential to become a new approach for treating brain tumors. We are pleased that we have now secured exclusive access to a significant quantity of GMP synthesized WP1122 drug substance from our sublicense partner in Poland."

"Access to this product allows us to accelerate preclinical toxicology and analytical testing of WP1122," Mr. Klemp continued, "which enables preparation of an Investigational New Drug application so we can begin proof of concept clinical trials. Research at MD Anderson using live human brain tumors transplanted into mice has shown that WP1122 has the potential to outperform the current standard of care treatment for glioblastoma, one of the most pervasive forms of brain tumors. We are eager to get this drug into human testing to determine if we have something that could make a real difference for patients."

About Moleculin Biotech, Inc.

Moleculin Biotech, Inc. is a preclinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development of anti-cancer drug candidates, some of which are based on discoveries made at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Our lead product candidate is Annamycin, an anthracycline being studied for the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia, more commonly referred to as AML. We also have two preclinical small molecule portfolios, one of which is focused on the modulation of hard-to-target tumor cell signaling mechanisms and the recruitment of the patient's own immune system. The other portfolio targets the metabolism of tumors.

For more information about the Company, please visit http://www.moleculin.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, the ability of WP1122 to have an IND allowed, enter into a clinical trial for and show activity in patients with brain tumors. These statements relate to future events, future expectations, plans and prospects. Although Moleculin Biotech believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, expectations may prove to have been materially different from the results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Moleculin Biotech has attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including ''believes,'' ''estimates,'' ''anticipates,'' ''expects,'' ''plans,'' ''projects,'' ''intends,'' ''potential,'' ''may,'' ''could,'' ''might,'' ''will,'' ''should,'' ''approximately'' or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including those discussed under Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in our most recently filed Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and updated from time to time in our Form 10-Q filings and in our other public filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of its date. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after its date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.