SQZ Biotechnologies Co.

NEW YORK, April 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gameto, a female-led biotech company developing therapies to improve the female reproductive journey, today announced the expansion of its executive team with the appointment of Teri Loxam as its first Chief Financial Officer. In this new role, Teri will oversee Gameto's financial function, as well as play a key role in overall company strategy. "Teri is a proven CFO and an impressive female leader, whose decades of experience will immediately add value to our company," said Dina Radenkovic, co-founder and CEO of Gameto. "Her depth of knowledge in capital markets and financing in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries comes at an exciting time for the company as we work on clinical development and go-to-market strategy for our lead program, Fertilo, to make the IVF process shorter, safer and more effective for women. Teri's personal passion for women's health is extremely important to us as we continue to grow." Teri joins Gameto with over 20 years of diverse experience in strategy, investor relations and finance across the pharmaceutical, biotech, and TMT industries. Prior to joining Gameto, Teri was Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer at Kira Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biotech company developing transformative therapies for people with complement-mediated diseases. There, she built financial and operational functions across the U.S. and China locations to get the company public-ready. Prior to Kira, Teri served as CFO of SQZ Biotechnologies, a novel cell therapy company developing treatments for cancer, infectious disease and other serious conditions, where she raised over $200M, including taking the company public in October 2020. Prior to joining SQZ, Teri held various positions at Merck, IMAX Corporation, and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Teri is also a member of the board of directors and audit chair of Vaxcyte, Inc. and Cardiol Therapeutics, Inc. She has a B.S. in Biology from the University of Victoria, B.C. Canada and an MBA from the University of California, Irvine. "Gameto's highly innovative platform and dedication to improve and support women's health is impressive," said Teri Loxam, Chief Financial Officer of Gameto. "I am eager to work with a talented team of professionals who are passionate about transforming the traditional IVF processes and advancing developments for women." Teri's appointment is one of many new senior hires this year. Gameto recently appointed Jean-Pierre Gotteland as Head of Development to the management team. Prior to joining Gameto, Jean-Pierre was Chief Scientific Officer and Head of R&D at ObsEva SA, a clinical-stage biotech company developing innovative women's reproductive health therapeutics. There, he led the development and approval of linzagolix, for uterine fibroids, and brought to clinical trials nolasiban, for increasing live birth rate following IVF. Jean-Pierre also served as Chief Development Officer at PregLem SA where he led the development and EU approval of ulipristal acetate for uterine fibroids and infertility. Prior to joining PregLem, Jean-Pierre held various R&D positions at Serono, a world-leading pharmaceutical company before its acquisition by Merck KgA. Jean-Pierre will facilitate clinical development of Gameto's lead program, Fertilo. These new senior hires expand the multidisciplinary team of stem cell engineers, computational biologists, embryologists and physicians Gameto has brought together. About Gameto Based in New York and Madrid, Gameto is a biotechnology company using cell engineering to develop therapeutics for diseases of the female reproductive system. Gameto brings together an experienced scientific management team with vision and passion to develop a product offering that will support women throughout their reproductive journey. Gameto is currently working on its first program, Fertilo, a product for IVF and egg freezing, aiming to make the process shorter, safer and more effective. The preclinical studies for Fertilo found that it can increase egg yield per cycle and maturation for both conventional and reduced stimulation cycle. Gameto is currently conducting preclinical studies with partners Inception Fertility, Spring Fertility, Extend Fertility, RMA, Pozitivf, Ovation Fertility, ReproART, Clinica Tambre, and Hospital Ruber Internacional, Eugin Group. Gameto is led by physician-turned-entrepreneur Dina Radenkovic as CEO and serial entrepreneur and leader in the fertility space Martin Varsavsky as Chairman. For more information, go to gametogen.com or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @gametogen.

MILAN, Italy and NEW YORK, May 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genenta Science (NASDAQ: GNTA), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing a cell-based platform harnessing the power of hematopoietic stem cells to provide durable and safe treatments for solid tumors, announces that it held its Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting on May 2, 2024. At the Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting, the Company's shareholders approved the appointment of five directors to the Company's Board of Directors, effective as of May 2, 2024, including four new members. The new members of the Board include: John L. Cantello, Ph.D., Lauren H. Chung, Ph.D., Armon R. Sharei, Ph.D. and Todd Wider, M.D., and Pierluigi Paracchi, Chief Executive Officer, will continue to serve on the Board as Chairman. "When Luigi Naldini, Ph.D., M.D., and I co-founded Genenta, we always aspired to involve leading figures in the biotech sector. This Board is fantastic. Our new directors will support Genenta as we aim to consolidate the important results we have achieved so far and to expand the potential impact of our cell therapy for treating tumors," said Pierluigi Paracchi. The Company extends its thanks to the former members of its Board for their significant contributions throughout their service. John L. Cantello, Ph.D. John is an independent advisor to the biopharma industry with over 20 years of experience. John served as the Former VP and Head of Business Development, Oncology Therapy Area at GlaxoSmithKline and VP and Head of BD, Respiratory & Immune Diseases at AstraZeneca. John has led teams accountable for assessing, valuing, and transacting M&A, pipeline & commercial asset deals covering oncology, respiratory, inflammation, metabolic, and rare diseases. He has a track record of closing deals (transacting >$30B in deal value) representing primary care, specialty care, and rare diseases. Lauren H. Chung, Ph.D. Lauren has over 20 years of operating experience spearheading agile investment management strategies and tactical asset allocation in the healthcare industry. As the founder and CEO of Minleigh LLC, a healthcare focused strategic advisory firm, Lauren has advised leadership, boards, and investment firms on global strategic plans, M&A, integration, and compliance. Previously, Lauren co-founded Tokum Capital Management, a global institutional healthcare fund, and successfully managed its merger with Perella Weinberg Partners. Lauren serves on public and private company boards. She has a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School, and a B.A. in Biochemistry and Economics with Honors from Wellesley College. Armon R. Sharei, Ph.D. Armon is the founder and CEO of Portal Bio and formerly the CEO and founder of SQZ Biotechnologies, where he led the company from invention to post-IPO with over $300 million in equity financing, a $1 billion collaboration with Roche, and three clinical trials. He graduated from Stanford University, and received his Ph.D. at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his Post-Doctoral at Harvard Medical School. Todd Wider, M.D. Todd has served as a consultant to numerous entities in the biotechnology space. He is a co-founder and Board member of Xanadu Bio and prior Executive Chairman of Emendo Biotetherapeutics, Board member of Abeona Therapeutics and Arya Science Acquisition Corp IV (Nasdaq: ARYD). Todd is an active, honorary member of the medical staff of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. He received his M.D. from Columbia University's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons where he was Rudin Fellow, and an A.B., with high honors and Phi Beta Kappa, from Princeton University. Todd is also a principal in Wider Film Projects, a documentary film company focused on producing films with sociopolitical resonance that have won Academy, Emmy and Peabody Awards. Additional information related to the Genenta shareholders’ meeting are reported on a Form 6-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and made available on the Company’s website ( ). About Genenta and Temferon Genenta ( ) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company engaged in the development of a proprietary hematopoietic stem cell therapy for the treatment of a variety of solid tumor cancers. Temferon™ is based on ex-vivo gene transfer into autologous Tie2+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) to deliver immunomodulatory molecules directly via tumor-infiltrating monocytes/macrophages (Tie2 Expressing Monocytes - TEMs). Temferon, which is under investigation in a phase 1/2a clinical trial in newly diagnosed Glioblastoma Multiforme patients who have an unmethylated MGMT gene promoter (uMGMT-GBM), is designed to reach solid tumors, induce a durable immune response not restricted to pre-selected tumor antigens nor type, and avoid systemic toxicity, which are some of the main unresolved challenges in immuno-oncology. Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release contain “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “suggest,” “target,” “aim,” “should,” "will,” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are based on Genenta’s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict, including risks related to the completion and timing of the phase 1/2a clinical trial or any studies relating to the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme patients who have an unmethylated MGMT gene promoter (uMGMT-GBM). Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the section titled “Risk Factors” in Genenta's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of the date of this announcement, and Genenta undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law. Genenta Media: Tiziana Pollio, mobile +39 348 23 15 143 tiziana.pollio@genenta.com

First Cohort of Participants Dosed in Phase 1 Clinical Trial with Lead Development Candidate AV078 Intended for the Treatment of Seizures Associated with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) Leadership Team Strengthened with the Appointment of William Greene, MD, CIO at Hevolution, and Justin Gover, Former CEO at GW Pharmaceuticals to the Board of Directors, and Micah Zajic Appointed as CFO $50M Financing Led by Hevolution BERKELEY, Calif., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aeovian Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel and highly selective therapeutics that potently inhibit the mTORC1 pathway, today announced that it has dosed the first cohort of participants in a Phase 1 clinical trial for its lead development candidate AV078, a first-in-class CNS penetrant selective mTORC1 inhibitor. Supporting this transition into the clinic, the company has also expanded its leadership team with the appointment of seasoned industry veterans William Greene, M.D., Chief Investment Officer at Hevolution, and Justin Gover, former Chief Executive Officer of GW Pharmaceuticals, to the company's Board of Directors, and appointed Micah Zajic as Chief Financial Officer. The company also recently completed a $50 million financing, led by Hevolution. "We are delighted to partner with Aeovian's management team and current investors, who have proven track records of success in drug discovery, development, and commercialization. Aeovian has assembled a compelling platform for the development of selective mTORC1 inhibitors," said Dr. Greene, CIO at Hevolution. "By developing novel small molecules to restore cellular metabolic quality control, Aeovian has several opportunities to address major unmet medical needs for indications spanning orphan neurological diseases to highly prevalent diseases of aging." In the $50M financing, Hevolution was joined by existing investors Apollo Health Ventures, Sofinnova Investments, venBio, Evotec and b2venture. This financing will support the completion of the Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers and prepare for the start of a subsequent Phase 2 clinical trial in adult and pediatric patients with TSC refractory epilepsy. "TSC is a genetic disorder of mTORC1 hyperactivation. We believe that our first-in-class CNS penetrant selective mTORC1 inhibitor, AV078, has the potential to be transformative for patients with TSC refractory epilepsy, a patient population in need of therapeutic options with better efficacy and tolerability. Beyond AV078, we believe that there is vast potential for our library of proprietary compounds in treating mTORC1-mediated rare and age-related diseases," said Allison Hulme, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, Aeovian Pharmaceuticals. "The entire Aeovian team welcomes Hevolution, and is thankful for the continued support and commitment of our existing investors as we move to this next exciting stage of the company's development." Dr. William Greene brings over 25 years of experience in leadership positions, which have included founder, biotechnology executive, investor, and clinician. As CEO, he built and led Iconic Therapeutics through discovery, clinical development, and venture financing, which culminated in a successful sale of the company. Dr. Greene spent 12 years at MPM Capital where he was a Managing Director and member of its Investment Committee, responsible for biotechnology and medical technology investments worldwide. He was also founding Chairman and head of the Investment Committee at the Global Health Investment Fund, a groundbreaking impact-oriented venture fund in collaboration with the Gates Foundation, which successfully scaled both investment returns and health impact simultaneously. Dr. Greene earned his BA from Wesleyan University and his MD from UCSF. He was a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar at Yale and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Scholar at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). Justin Gover brings 25 years of experience in leadership positions in the biotechnology industry. Mr. Gover served as founding CEO and as a director of GW Pharmaceuticals plc from the company's inception in 1999 until its sale to Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc for $7.2 billion in 2021. From 2018 to 2021, Mr. Gover served on the Board of Directors of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). Mr. Gover currently serves on the Board of Directors for Xenon Pharmaceuticals, CURE Epilepsy and Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine. Mr. Gover holds an M.B.A. from the INSEAD business school in France and a B.Sc. (Hons) from Bristol University, UK. "I am delighted to be joining the Aeovian Board at this exciting time as the company enters the clinic. I have a deep commitment to the epilepsy community and to patients with TSC and believe that AV078 has the potential to be a valuable new treatment option for this high need population," said Justin Gover. "I am impressed by the breadth of potential applications for Aeovian's science and by the caliber of the Aeovian team and look forward to contributing to the company's future." "On behalf of our Board of Directors, I am delighted to welcome William and Justin to our Board as they bring diverse and relevant experience from various leadership roles within the biotechnology industry and we look forward to their contributions as we navigate the company's next phase of growth," said Richard Gaster, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman of the Aeovian Board of Directors. Micah Zajic has been appointed Chief Financial Officer at Aeovian. Mr. Zajic brings nearly 20 years of experience in biotech corporate development, healthcare capital markets and investment banking to the company. Mr. Zajic most recently served as Chief Business Officer and Chief Financial Officer at LEXEO Therapeutics (NASDAQ). Prior to this he served as Chief Financial Officer of SQZ Biotechnologies (NYSE). He began his career at Morgan Stanley in the Global Capital Markets and Healthcare Investment Banking Groups, raising capital and executing strategic transactions for companies across the healthcare industry. In addition, Mr. Zajic worked in corporate development roles at Alexion Pharmaceuticals and MeiraGTx, focusing on the evaluation and execution of external partnerships, license agreements and acquisitions. About Aeovian Aeovian Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted and highly selective small molecules to restore cellular metabolic quality control, thereby addressing the dysregulated growth and hyperactive signaling found in certain rare genetic and age-related diseases. Our lead development candidate, AV078, is a first-in-class CNS penetrant selective mTORC1 inhibitor being developed for the treatment of TSC refractory epilepsy and is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 trial. TSC is a rare genetic disorder caused by the hyperactive signaling of mTORC1. Beyond AV078, we have developed a proprietary library of small molecules, which are potent and selective inhibitors of either mTORC1 or CD38 and have the potential to precisely target the underlying biology of multiple rare and age-related diseases. For more information, please visit our website at . Contact: Micah Zajic Chief Financial Officer ir@aeovian.com