Genprex, Inc. announced with great respect and sorrow the unexpected passing last night of the Company's co-founder, President, Chairman, Rodney Varner, due to sudden complications after a courageous battle with cancer. Mr. Varner co-founded Genprex in 2009, and he has served on the Company's board of directors since 2012. He has served as President and CEO of Genprex since 2016.

Under Mr. Varner's leadership, Genprex became a publicly traded company in 2018 and has successfully completed two Phase 1 clinical trials, opened three additional clinical trials, expanded its intellectual property portfolio, exclusively licensed new novel gene therapy technologies and has received three U.S. Food and Drug Administration Fast Track Designations and one Orphan Drug Designation. Ryan Confer, Genprex's Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to the Company's pre-existing transition plan, has been appointed by the Board of Directors to serve as President Genprex as well as a member of the Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mr. Confer has served in chief level roles for a variety of early-stage companies since 2008.

Mr. Confer has been a part of the Genprex team since 2011, before he was appointed Chief Operating and Financial Officer in 2013 and Chief Financial Officer in 2016. Mr. Confer will continue to serve as Chief Financial Officer until a successor has been identified. The Board of Directors will continue to meet to discuss matters related to the orderly transition and take steps to ensure continuity of business priorities and operations for the Company, including the initiation of a search for a permanent hire for the Chief Financial Officer role.