Company: HCWB
Filing Date: 2025-04-16
Form Type: 424B3
Source: 0001193125-25-082835
Chunk: 4

Company: HCW Biologics Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-04-16
Form: 424B3
Chunk 4
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apeutics represent a new class of drug that we believe has the potential to fundamentally change the
treatment of cancer and many other diseases and conditions that are promoted by chronic inflammation — and in doing so, improve patients’ quality of life and possibly extend longevity. While chronic inflammation is possible at any
age, it is more common as we age. In this case, the condition is known as inflammaging. The induction and retention of low-grade inflammation in an aging human body is mainly the result of the accumulation of non-proliferative but metabolically active senescent cells, which can also be caused by persistent activation of immune cells.

Chronic inflammation, including inflammaging, is believed to be a significant contributing factor to the cause for
senescence-associated diseases and conditions that diminish health span, including many types of cancer, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as indications that impact quality-of-life that are not life-threatening. Senescence is a physiologic process important in promoting wound healing, tissue homeostasis, regeneration, embryogenesis, fibrosis regulation, and
tumorigenesis suppression. However, accumulation of senescent cells with Senescence-Associated Phenotype (“SASP”) proinflammatory factors has been implicated as a major source of chronic sterile inflammation leading to many aging-related
pathologies. SASP factors, including proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and proteinases, drive an inflammation cycle. Senescence is considered a stress response and can be induced by a wide range of intrinsic and extrinsic
insults. Over time, these insults cause normal tissue cells to enter a senescent state of irreversible growth arrest accompanied by the release of SASP factors. The inflammation cycle promoted by SASP factors also activates immune cells.
Similar to senescent cells, prolonged activation of immune cells promotes the release of highly proinflammatory cytokines. Unresolved activation of immune cells leads to chronic low-grade inflammation, which
perpetuates this cycle.

Studies have shown that strategies to reduce or eliminate senescent cells can delay, prevent, and improve age-related dysfunctions, including cancer. Unfortunately, to date, there has been limited clinical success in targeting senescent cell accumulation or aberrant inflammasome activity using small molecule-based
approaches. Preclinical research and preliminary results from first-in-human clinical trials indicate that our immunotherapeutic approach may achieve success for cancer
indications, and many other age-related diseases and conditions. We believe our