-- Completed enrollment for Cohort 1 (gluten challenge) of Phase 1b ANB033 
      trial in celiac disease (CeD); top-line Cohort 1 data reaffirmed for Q4 
      2026 
 
   -- Cohort 2 (mucosal healing) enhanced to enroll up to 40 patients including 
      those with a broad range of histologic (Vh:Cd ratio <= 2.5) and symptom 
      severity to further inform future development; top-line Cohort 2 data 
      anticipated in Q1 2027 
 
   -- U.S. FDA granted Fast Track designation for ANB033 for the treatment of 
      CeD 
 
   -- Enrollment ongoing for Phase 1b ANB033 trial in eosinophilic esophagitis 
      (EoE); top-line data anticipated in Q3 2027 
 
   -- Reiterating cash-runway into Q2 2028, including the expansion of ANB033 
      into two additional indications in H1 2027 

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Tracks Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRAX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing antibody therapeutics that modulate immune pathways implicated in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, and provided a business update.

"First Tracks continues to execute against a broad development strategy for our potentially best-in-class CD122 antagonist, ANB033, and anticipates treating patients across four indications in 2027. We believe ANB033 is uniquely positioned to deliver differentiated clinical and biological outcomes across multiple immune-mediated diseases," said Daniel Faga, president and chief executive officer. "In celiac disease, FDA's Fast Track designation for ANB033 underscores both the urgency of the significant unmet need for patients and the potential of this program. We will report top-line data from Cohort 1 of the Phase 1b trial in Q4 2026, evaluating ANB033's potential to prevent gluten-induced mucosal injury. Cohort 2 of this study is enrolling patients with disease across a wide range of histologic and symptom severity at baseline with the goal of generating deeper insights into timing to mucosal healing and disease biology. We anticipate reporting these data in Q1 2027, followed by top-line data from our Phase 1b trial of ANB033 in eosinophilic esophagitis in Q3 2027."

ANB033 (CD122 antagonist)

   -- Phase 1b trial in celiac disease ongoing 
 
          -- U.S. FDA granted Fast Track designation to ANB033 for the 
             treatment of people with CeD on a gluten-free diet 
 
          -- 70-patient trial assessing one dose level of subcutaneously 
             administered ANB033 vs. placebo (randomized 1:1) across two 
             different cohorts 
 
                 -- Cohort 1 (n=30) is a gluten-challenge study to assess the 
                    prevention of mucosal damage through six weeks 
 
                        -- Top-line Cohort 1 data reaffirmed for Q4 2026 
 
                 -- Cohort 2 (n=40) assesses the possibility of mucosal healing 
                    through 12 weeks 
 
                        -- Cohort enhanced to enroll up to 40 patients 
                           including those with a broad range of histologic 
                           (Vh:Cd ratio <= 2.5) and symptom severity to further 
                           inform future development 
 
                        -- Enrollment ongoing with top-line Cohort 2 data 
                           anticipated in Q1 2027 
 
   -- Phase 1b trial in EoE ongoing 
 
          -- 50-patient cohort assessing one dose level of subcutaneously 
             administered ANB033 vs. placebo (randomized 1:1) through 12 weeks 
 
          -- Top-line Phase 1b data anticipated in Q3 2027 
 
   -- Plan to initiate Phase 2 trials in two additional indications in H1 2027 

ANB101 (BDCA2 modulator)

   -- Phase 1a trial in healthy volunteers completed 
 
          -- Currently evaluating potential development approach informed by 
             clinical and translational evidence, as well as competitor 
             registrational data in systemic lupus erythematosus $(SLE)$ and 
             cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) anticipated in Q4 2026 and 
             early 2027, respectively 

Rosnilimab (Pathogenic T cell depleter)

   -- Currently assessing ROE-maximizing strategic options to progress the 
      potential development of rosnilimab in rheumatoid arthritis $(RA)$ and 
      other indications 

Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results

   -- The separation of AnaptysBio and First Tracks Biotherapeutics was 
      completed on April 20, 2026. As a result, from January 1, 2026 to April 
      19, 2026 and the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, the financial 
      results include assets, liabilities and expenses related to both 
      companies. The combined financial statements reflect allocations of 
      certain expenses from the financial statements of Anaptys including 
      research and development expenses and administrative expenses. These 
      allocations include, but are not limited to, executive management, 
      employee compensation and benefits, facilities and operations, 
      information technology, business development, financial services (such as 
      accounting, audit, and tax), legal, insurance and stock-based 
      compensation. 
 
   -- Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $168.0 million as of June 
      30, 2026. 
 
   -- Research and development expenses were $25.6 million and $59.6 million 
      for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, compared to $39.3 
      million and $80.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 
      2025. The decrease for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 was 
      primarily due to decreased development costs for rosnilimab and ANB032 
      offset by increased costs relating to the Phase 1 trials for ANB033. 
 
   -- General and administrative expenses were $9.3 million and $28.1 million 
      for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, compared to $6.6 
      million and $16.4 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025. The 
      increase was due primarily to the allocation of legal costs for the 
      separation of the company. 
 
   -- Net loss was $33.4 million and $83.9 million for the three and six months 
      ended June 30, 2026, or a net loss per share of $0.95 and $2.40, compared 
      to a net loss of $42.4 million and $89.6 million for the three and six 
      months ended June 30, 2025, or a net loss per share of $1.47 and $3.02. 

About First Tracks Biotherapeutics

First Tracks Biotherapeutics is a clinical stage biotechnology company advancing antibody therapies that modulate immune pathways implicated in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Its pipeline includes ANB033, a CD122 antagonist in development for celiac disease and eosinophilic esophagitis; rosnilimab, a pathogenic T cell depleter in development for rheumatoid arthritis; and ANB101, a BDCA2 modulator. To learn more, visit www.FirstTracksBio.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to: the timing of the release of data from the Company's clinical trials, including initial data from ANB033's Phase 1b clinical trial in celiac disease and initial data from ANB033's Phase 1b clinical trial in eosinophilic esophagitis; potential benefits, efficacy, and safety profile of the Company's product candidates and the Company's projected cash runway. Statements including words such as "plan," "continue," "expect," or "ongoing" and statements in the future tense are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions, which, if they do not fully materialize or prove incorrect, could cause its results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause the company's actual activities or results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, including risks and uncertainties related to the company's ability to advance its product candidates, obtain regulatory approval of and ultimately commercialize its product candidates, the timing and results of preclinical and clinical trials, the company's ability to fund development activities and achieve development goals, the company's ability to protect intellectual property and other risks and uncertainties described under the heading "Risk Factors" in documents the company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and the company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

Investor Contact:

Nick Montemarano

Vice President, Investor Relations

858.732.0178

investors@firsttracksbio.com

 
                   First Tracks Biotherapeutics, Inc. 
                             Balance Sheets 
               (in thousands, except share and par value) 
                               (unaudited) 
                                 June 30, 2026     December 31, 2025 
                                ---------------   ------------------- 
           ASSETS 
Current assets: 
Cash and cash equivalents        $      168,018     $         238,196 
Short-term investments                       --                73,442 
Prepaid expenses and other 
 current assets                           9,727                 4,762 
                                    -----------   ---  -------------- 
      Total current assets              177,745               316,400 
Property and equipment, net               1,071                 1,370 
Operating lease right-of-use 
 assets                                   4,324                12,519 
Other long-term assets                       --                   256