Enhancing Commercial Readiness: IO Biotech Bolsters Senior Leadership

IO Biotech, a biopharmaceutical firm specializing in the development of innovative cancer vaccines, has announced a significant addition to its executive team. Marjan Shamsaei, a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, has been appointed as the Senior Vice President for Commercial Development and Portfolio Lead for IO102-IO103. This is IO Biotech's flagship cancer vaccine candidate, which is currently undergoing a pivotal Phase 3 trial.

Shamsaei brings over two and a half decades of expertise in commercial strategy and oncology product commercialization to her new role. She will be based in the United States and will report directly to IO Biotech's CEO, Mai-Britt Zocca, Ph.D. The company is eager to leverage Shamsaei's experience as they prepare for the commercial readiness phase of their lead product.

Zocca expressed her enthusiasm about Shamsaei's appointment, highlighting her extensive knowledge and the value it will add to the company's efforts to expand their pipeline with candidates targeting various forms of cancer. IO Biotech is particularly optimistic about the T-Win platform's potential to be highly effective in multiple cancer indications.

Shamsaei, who has held leadership roles at several prominent companies, including Allogene Therapeutics, Five Prime Therapeutics, Genentech, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, and SUGEN/Pharmacia, is eager to contribute to IO Biotech's mission. She holds a Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of California San Francisco and a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from the University of Colorado.

IO102-IO103 is an experimental therapeutic cancer vaccine that targets both tumor cells and immune-suppressive cells within the tumor microenvironment. The vaccine works by stimulating the activation and expansion of T cells against specific antigens. IO Biotech is currently conducting several clinical trials for IO102-IO103, including a Phase 3 trial in combination with pembrolizumab for advanced melanoma patients, as well as Phase 2 trials for first-line treatment and neo-adjuvant/adjuvant treatment of solid tumors.

The trials are being sponsored by IO Biotech in collaboration with Merck, with Merck providing pembrolizumab. IO Biotech retains the global commercial rights to IO102-IO103. The company is also the holder of the T-win® platform, which is the basis for their novel approach to cancer vaccines designed to activate T cells against immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment.

IO Biotech is a clinical-stage company with headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, and US operations in New York. They are advancing their lead cancer vaccine candidate and other pipeline candidates through clinical and preclinical development. Based on positive Phase 1/2 data, IO102-IO103 has been granted breakthrough therapy designation by the US FDA for the treatment of advanced melanoma. The company is committed to improving treatment options for cancer patients and is excited about the potential market availability of their lead program by 2025.