Material Event (Form 8-K)

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On August 18, 2026, Genprex, Inc. ("Genprex" or the "Company") issued a press release announcing it had entered into a development and manufacturing agreement with a leading U.S. based clinical and commercial Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization ("CDMO") to initiate the manufacturing scale-up of its diabetes gene therapy program. This strategic selection allows for the transition of the Company's therapeutic candidate from research-grade production to clinical and commercial-ready output. This collaboration provides the infrastructure necessary to produce the Company's AAV-based therapy in a current Good Manufacturing Practices ("cGMP") compliant facility. The CDMO will manufacture and supply drug product to be used in Genprex's IND-enabling preclinical studies and future clinical trials.

By partnering with an established CDMO, the Company gains access to specialized expertise in scaling complex biologics, ensuring consistent delivery of the therapeutic payload, a critical factor for administration in patients with Type 1 diabetes ("T1D") and Type 2 diabetes ("T2D").

The anticipated manufacturing roadmap pursuant to this collaboration includes several technical priorities:

The press release noted that Genprex's diabetes gene therapy product candidate involves the delivery of the Pdx1 and MafA genes into the pancreas via the pancreatic duct utilizing an AAV vector. Novel advanced technologies were incorporated in these processes to optimize the plasmid construct to increase stability of expression and modify the backbone to align with other plasmids used for AAV products. The new plasmid was cloned, purified, and manufactured and is currently being used in the manufacture of AAV. Genprex is continuing work with CDMOs and research partners to optimize constructs and evaluate alternative second-generation approaches including different AAV and non-viral constructs. The Company's strategic collaboration with a CDMO to research a non-viral lipid nanoparticle delivery of its diabetes gene therapy drug candidate could allow for potential re-dosing of patients to optimize treatment.

Genprex's diabetes gene therapy product candidate is under development as a potential treatment for both T1D and T2D. In T1D, the drug candidate is designed to work by transforming alpha cells in the pancreas into functional beta-like cells, which can produce insulin but may be distinct enough from beta cells to evade the body's immune system. In vivo, preclinical studies show that the drug candidate restored normal blood glucose levels for an extended period of time in T1D mouse models. In T1D non-human primate ("NHP") in vivo models, the drug candidate demonstrated the ability to decrease insulin requirements, increase c-peptide levels and improve glucose tolerance. In a similar approach for T2D, where autoimmunity is not at play, the drug candidate demonstrated the ability to replenish and rejuvenate exhausted beta cells that make insulin in both mouse and NHP models.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of management, are not guarantees of performance and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. These forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various important factors, including those set forth in Genprex's reports that it files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission and which you should review, including those statements under "Item 1A - Risk Factors" in Genprex's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

Because forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, 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: Genprex's ability to advance the clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization of its product candidates in accordance with projected timelines and specifications; the timing and success of Genprex's clinical trials, its intended regulatory submissions and any resulting regulatory approvals; the effect of Genprex's product candidates, alone and in combination with other therapies, on cancer and diabetes; the effects of any strategic research and development prioritization initiatives, and any other strategic alternatives or other efforts that Genprex takes or may take in the future that are aimed at optimizing and re-focusing Genprex's diabetes, oncology and/or other clinical development programs including prioritization of resources, and the extent to which Genprex is able to implement such efforts and initiatives successfully to achieve the desired and intended results thereof; Genprex's future growth and financial status, including Genprex's ability to maintain compliance with the continued listing requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market and to continue as a going concern and to obtain capital to meet its long-term liquidity needs on acceptable terms, or at all; Genprex's commercial and strategic partnerships, including those with its third party vendors, suppliers and manufacturers and their ability to successfully perform and scale up the manufacture of its product candidates; and Genprex's intellectual property and licenses.