Immunology

Former Biogen CEO Michel Vounatsos Joins Quris-AI Board

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 4, 2024

BOSTON and TEL AVIV, Israel, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quris-AI , an artificial intelligence (AI) innovator disrupting the pharmaceutical arena, announced the addition of Michel Vounatsos, former CEO of Biogen, to its Board of Directors, and the appointment of Yossi Ben Amram, former Merck & Co., Inc. (MSD) Regional President, as President of Quris-AI.

Key Points: 
  • BOSTON and TEL AVIV, Israel, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quris-AI , an artificial intelligence (AI) innovator disrupting the pharmaceutical arena, announced the addition of Michel Vounatsos, former CEO of Biogen, to its Board of Directors, and the appointment of Yossi Ben Amram, former Merck & Co., Inc. (MSD) Regional President, as President of Quris-AI.
  • “Adding accomplished pharmaceutical leaders such as Yossi Ben Amram and Michel Vounatsos to our leadership team will be invaluable in our push for a pharma Bio-AI revolution.
  • Michel Vounatsos brings extensive global leadership and management experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, including having served as CEO and member of the Board of Directors of Biogen, Inc. from early 2017 until November 2022.
  • Vounatsos earned his MBA from the HEC School of Management in Paris, France, and his C.S.C.T.

Sitryx announces collaboration partner Lilly has commenced a Phase 1 study of SIT-011 for chronic autoimmune and inflammatory diseases

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 4, 2024

Oxford, UK – 4 January 2024 – Sitryx Therapeutics (“the Company”), a biopharmaceutical company focused on regulating cell metabolism to develop disease-modifying therapeutics for chronic autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, today announces that Eli Lilly & Company (Lilly) has commenced a Phase 1 first-in-human study of SIT-011, a post-translational modification modulator program for chronic autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Key Points: 
  • Oxford, UK – 4 January 2024 – Sitryx Therapeutics (“the Company”), a biopharmaceutical company focused on regulating cell metabolism to develop disease-modifying therapeutics for chronic autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, today announces that Eli Lilly & Company (Lilly) has commenced a Phase 1 first-in-human study of SIT-011, a post-translational modification modulator program for chronic autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
  • Lilly is leading further development and potential commercialization of the Phase 1 immunometabolism-targeting therapy.
  • Sitryx and Lilly entered into an exclusive global licensing and research collaboration agreement in March 2020 , under which Sitryx received an upfront payment of $50 million and Lilly made a $10 million equity investment in the Company.
  • Sitryx is using the proceeds to advance its proprietary pipeline of immunometabolism-targeting therapies into clinical development.

Harvey J. Berger, M.D. Joins Kojin Therapeutics as Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Kojin Therapeutics, Inc., a pioneer in cell-state and ferroptosis biology and cutting-edge drug discovery, today announced the appointment of Harvey J. Berger, M.D.

Key Points: 
  • Kojin Therapeutics, Inc., a pioneer in cell-state and ferroptosis biology and cutting-edge drug discovery, today announced the appointment of Harvey J. Berger, M.D.
  • as its new chairman, president, and chief executive officer.
  • He founded ARIAD Pharmaceuticals and led the company from a start-up to a fully integrated global oncology company.
  • Kojin co-founder Professor Stuart Schreiber stated, “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Berger, a long-time colleague and collaborator, as Kojin’s new chief executive.

Pacira Appoints Frank D. Lee as Chief Executive Officer

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 21, 2023

TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacira BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: PCRX), the industry leader in its commitment to non-opioid pain management and regenerative health solutions, today announced that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) has appointed Frank D. Lee as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board, effective January 2, 2024. As previously announced in September 2023, David Stack will retire from his roles as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, effective January 1, 2024, and will remain with the company through August 2025 in an advisory capacity to help ensure a smooth transition. In connection with Mr. Stack’s retirement, the Board has elected Paul Hastings, Lead Independent Director, as Chair of the Board, also effective January 2, 2024.

Key Points: 
  • TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacira BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: PCRX), the industry leader in its commitment to non-opioid pain management and regenerative health solutions, today announced that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) has appointed Frank D. Lee as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board, effective January 2, 2024.
  • Most recently he served as Chief Executive Officer and member of the board of directors of Forma Therapeutics from March 2019 through its acquisition by Novo Nordisk in October 2022.
  • Prior to joining Genentech, Mr. Lee spent approximately 13 years across Novartis, Janssen and Eli Lilly in engineering, manufacturing, sales/marketing and business development.
  • On December 20, 2023, in connection with Mr. Lee’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer, the Board approved the grant of inducement awards to Mr. Lee.

Nexcella Announces Dr. Marko Radic, Autoimmune CAR-T Pioneer and Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Joins Scientific Advisory Board

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 18, 2023

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nexcella, Inc. (“Nexcella”, “Company”, “We” or “Us”), announced that effective today, Marko Radic PhD, has joined the Nexcella Scientific Advisory Board.  Dr. Radic brings decades of experience in autoimmune cell therapy, and thought leadership to Nexcella.

Key Points: 
  • Dr. Radic brings decades of experience in autoimmune cell therapy, and thought leadership to Nexcella.
  • I believe recent developments in the CAR-T field allow for novel approaches to treat autoimmune diseases,” said Dr. Radic.
  • “I am excited about joining the Nexcella scientific advisory board and continuing to contribute to expanding treatment options to patients with debilitating autoimmune diseases.”
    "It is a pleasure to welcome Dr. Radic as a member of our Scientific Advisory Board.
  • Prior to joining UTHSC in 2000, Dr. Radic was an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology at Drexel University.

Immix Biopharma Announces Dr. Marko Radic, Autoimmune CAR-T Pioneer and Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Joins Scientific Advisory Board

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 18, 2023

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Immix Biopharma, Inc. (“Immix Biopharma”, “Company”, “We” or “Us”), announced that effective today, Marko Radic PhD, has joined ImmixBio subsidiary Nexcella Scientific Advisory Board.  Dr. Radic brings decades of experience in autoimmune cell therapy, and thought leadership to Nexcella.

Key Points: 
  • Dr. Radic brings decades of experience in autoimmune cell therapy, and thought leadership to Nexcella.
  • I believe recent developments in the CAR-T field allow for novel approaches to treat autoimmune diseases,” said Dr. Radic.
  • “I am excited about joining the Nexcella scientific advisory board and continuing to contribute to expanding treatment options to patients with debilitating autoimmune diseases.”
    "It is a pleasure to welcome Dr. Radic as a member of our Scientific Advisory Board.
  • Prior to joining UTHSC in 2000, Dr. Radic was an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology at Drexel University.

Beam Therapeutics Appoints Biotech Executive Christi Shaw to its Board of Directors

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 14, 2023

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Beam Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: BEAM), a biotechnology company developing precision genetic medicines through base editing, today announced the appointment of Christi Shaw to the company’s board of directors.

Key Points: 
  • CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Beam Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: BEAM), a biotechnology company developing precision genetic medicines through base editing, today announced the appointment of Christi Shaw to the company’s board of directors.
  • Prior to Kite, Ms. Shaw served as an executive officer of Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly), a global healthcare company, and president of Lilly Bio-Medicines, the business within Lilly that comprises neuroscience and immunology.
  • She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Iowa State University and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin.
  • I look forward to working alongside such a high-caliber organization and team as we work to bring these innovative therapies to patients.”

EvolveImmune Therapeutics Provides Corporate and Program Update Highlighted by Closing of $37 Million Financing

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 13, 2023

BRANFORD, Conn., Dec. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EvolveImmune Therapeutics, an immuno-oncology company developing first-in-category, multifunctional biotherapeutics to overcome the therapeutic challenges of cancer cell resistance to current immune therapy agents, today provided a corporate and program update related to the advancement of its pipeline of first-in-category precision immuno-oncology agents. The company announced the closing of a $37 million financing round, which was supported by existing investors including Pfizer Ventures, Solasta Ventures, and Takeda Ventures, Inc., along with new strategic investor Bristol Myers Squibb.

Key Points: 
  • The company announced the closing of a $37 million financing round, which was supported by existing investors including Pfizer Ventures, Solasta Ventures, and Takeda Ventures, Inc., along with new strategic investor Bristol Myers Squibb.
  • EvolveImmune intends to use the proceeds from this fundraising to support continued platform and pipeline development including the advancement of its lead multi-functional T-cell engager program, EV-104.
  • “This new capital raise comes at an exciting time for EvolveImmune,” said Stephen Bloch, M.D., chief executive officer of EvolveImmune.
  • The platform also takes advantage the company’s understanding of specific tumor cell characteristics to guide tumor antigen prioritization and program differentiation.

Kymera Therapeutics to Host Virtual Immunology R&D Day on January 4

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 13, 2023

WATERTOWN, Mass., Dec. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kymera Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: KYMR), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing a new class of small molecule medicines using targeted protein degradation (TPD), today shared webcast information for the virtual Immunology R&D Day that the Company will host on January 4, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Key Points: 
  • WATERTOWN, Mass., Dec. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kymera Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: KYMR), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing a new class of small molecule medicines using targeted protein degradation (TPD), today shared webcast information for the virtual Immunology R&D Day that the Company will host on January 4, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • The R&D Day will focus on the Company’s emerging pipeline of high-value immunology programs, including new target disclosures, supporting preclinical data and timing to clinical study initiation.
  • To join the webcast, please visit this link , or the “Events and Presentations” page of the Investors section on the Company’s website at www.kymeratx.com .
  • A replay of the webcast will be archived and available following the event.

C4 Therapeutics Announces Positive Data from CFT7455 Phase 1 Trial in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 12, 2023

C4T also continues to enroll patients in the Phase 1 dose escalation trial exploring CFT7455 as a monotherapy for NHL patients.

Key Points: 
  • C4T also continues to enroll patients in the Phase 1 dose escalation trial exploring CFT7455 as a monotherapy for NHL patients.
  • C4T expects to present the following data on CFT7455 in 2024:
    Complete Phase 1 dose escalation data from the ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial in R/R MM.
  • Complete Phase 1 dose escalation data from the ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial in NHL.
  • C4T will host an investor webcast today, December 12, 2023, at 4:30 pm Eastern Time, to discuss the CFT7455 Phase 1 clinical data in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.