NKGen Biotech to Present Troculeucel Mechanism Data in Alzheimer’s and Frontotemporal Dementia at the Neuroimmunology Drug Development Summit

SANTA ANA, Calif., April 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NKGen Biotech, Inc. (OTC: NKGN) (“NKGen” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative autologous and allogeneic natural killer (“NK”) cell therapeutics, today announced that it will present data on its lead investigational program, troculeucel, at the 8^th Annual Neuroimmunology Drug Development Summit being held April 14-16, 2026, in Boston, Massachusetts.

NKGen’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Paul Y. Song, M.D., will highlight the therapeutic rationale supporting troculeucel’s use in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia (“FTD”). The presentation will include an overview of the Company’s expanding mechanistic dataset, including evidence that troculeucel selectively targets autoreactive T cells and may modulate key neuroinflammatory pathways implicated in disease progression.

Dr. Song will also review clinical observations from early-stage studies, including encouraging biomarker trends and reductions in neuroinflammatory signals measured in cerebrospinal fluid. These data build on previously reported preclinical and clinical findings and further support troculeucel’s potential as a differentiated, cell-based approach to treating neurodegenerative disorders with high unmet medical need.

The Neuroimmunology Drug Development Summit is a scientific and industry conference focused on the development of therapies targeting neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases, bringing together academic and industry experts to discuss emerging research and therapeutic approaches.

A copy of the presentation will be made available on the Company’s website under the Scientific Publications section, once the event has concluded. Additionally, previously disclosed scientific data on troculeucel for neurodegenerative disease can be accessed on the same page. For the latest updates on our clinical trials and regulatory announcements, please visit the Company’s News page.

About Troculeucel
Troculeucel is a novel cell-based, patient specific, ex vivo expanded autologous NK cell immunotherapeutic drug candidate. NKGen is developing troculeucel for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and a broad range of cancers. Troculeucel is the International Nonproprietary Name (“INN”) for SNK01 assigned by the World Health Organization (“WHO”). The WHO INN approval of troculeucel establishes a universally recognized nonproprietary drug name for SNK01 and marks a significant step on NKGen’s journey toward bringing this therapy to market.

About NKGen Biotech
NKGen is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative autologous and allogeneic NK cell therapeutics. NKGen is headquartered in Santa Ana, California, USA. For more information, please visit www.nkgenbiotech.com.

Forward-Looking Statements 
Statements contained in this press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “continue”, “expect”, “estimate”, “may”, “plan”, “outlook”, “future” and “project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of the Company’s control, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s anticipated timing and content of its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and other public disclosures; the Company’s plans and expected timing for developing troculeucel and SNK02, including the expected timing of completing and announcing further results from its ongoing clinical studies; and the Company’s expected timing for developing its product candidates and potential benefits of its product candidates. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: the Company’s ability to execute its plans and strategies; risks related to performing clinical studies; the risk that initial and interim results of a clinical study do not necessarily predict final results and that one or more of the clinical outcomes may materially change as patient enrollment continues, following more comprehensive reviews of the data, and as more patient data become available; potential delays in the commencement, enrollment and completion of clinical studies and the reporting of data therefrom; the risk that studies will not be completed as planned; the risk that the abstract will not be published as planned including delays in timing, format, or accessibility; and NKGen’s ability to raise additional funding to complete the development of its product candidates. Additional risks include uncertainties related to the Company’s acquisition of a majority interest in NKGen Biotech Korea Co., Ltd., including risks regarding the future performance of NKGen Biotech Korea Co., Ltd.’s business, the Company’s ability to successfully integrate NKGen Biotech Korea Co., Ltd.’s operations, personnel, and technologies, potential challenges in realizing expected synergies and cost savings, and risks that the Company may not achieve the anticipated strategic, financial, or operational benefits of the acquisition on the expected timeline or at all. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully under the caption “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Company’s filings and reports, which may be accessed for free by visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on the Company’s website under the subheading “Investors—Financial and Filings”. Investors should take such risks into account and should not rely on forward-looking statements when making investment decisions. 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, except as required by law.

Internal Contact:
Denise Chua, MBA, CLS, MLS (ASCP)
SVP, Corporate Affairs
949-396-6830
dchua@nkgenbiotech.com

External Contacts:
Kevin Gardner
Managing Director
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
kgardner@lifesciadvisors.com