Candel Therapeutics Appoints Seshu Tyagarajan, Ph.D., RAC, as Chief Technical and Development Officer

Rhea-AI Summary

Candel Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CADL) has appointed Dr. Seshu Tyagarajan as the Chief Technical and Development Officer. Tyagarajan brings over 20 years of experience from Novartis, where she led CGT manufacturing strategies, including the BLA submission for Kymriah, the first FDA-approved CAR-T therapy. Her expertise in biologics manufacturing is expected to enhance Candel’s development efforts for oncolytic viral immunotherapy, which targets solid tumors. The company aims to leverage her insights to elevate its technical operations.

Positive

• Dr. Tyagarajan's extensive experience in biologics and CGT will enhance Candel's manufacturing capabilities.
• Her leadership is expected to strengthen Candel's operational standards and contribute positively to clinical trials.

Negative

• None.

NEEDHAM, Mass., March 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Candel Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CADL), a late clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel oncolytic viral immunotherapies, today announced that Seshu Tyagarajan Ph.D., RAC, has been named as the company’s Chief Technical and Development Officer.

Dr. Tyagarajan brings to Candel over two decades of technical, manufacturing and development experience in biologics and cell and gene therapies (CGT). Dr. Tyagarajan joins the company from Novartis, where she was most recently Executive Director and Global Head, Late Stage CMC Strategy for CGT. She was a member of the Novartis leadership team responsible for building a CGT pipeline by integrating research, development and manufacturing, and for driving clinical and commercial manufacturing strategy for the CAR-T platform. She successfully led several BLAs/MAAs and INDs and was a key contributor to the groundbreaking BLA submission for Kymriah, the first-ever CAR-T therapy approved by the FDA.

Prior to Novartis, Dr. Tyagarajan held roles of increasing responsibility at Merck, Roche, Biogen Idec (now Biogen), and ImClone a subsidiary of Eli Lilly. Dr. Tyagarajan holds a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from Rutgers University and an MS in Bioengineering from Purdue University.

“Seshu’s exceptional depth of experience in leading an integrated approach to biologics manufacturing will be key as we advance manufacturing, analytical programs and development for Candel’s investigational medicines that are being evaluated in clinical trials across multiple solid tumors,” said Paul Peter Tak M.D., Ph.D., FMedSci, President and CEO of Candel. “In addition to her direct manufacturing roles, she led the manufacturing diligence teams for numerous business development transactions, giving her a valuable perspective in our ongoing efforts to elevate our technical operations to world-class standards.”

“I am excited to join such a vibrant and innovative company as Candel,” said Dr. Tyagarajan. “The science, caliber and character of the leadership team and ability to have a significant impact on patients were key factors in my decision to join Candel. I look forward to working with the clinical stage oncolytic viral immunotherapy programs at Candel, as well as the innovative discovery efforts now well underway.”

About Candel Therapeutics

Candel is a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on helping patients fight cancer with oncolytic viral immunotherapies. Candel’s engineered viruses are designed to induce immunogenic cell death through direct viral-mediated cytotoxicity in cancer cells, thus releasing tumor neo-antigens while creating a pro-inflammatory microenvironment at the site of injection. Candel has established two oncolytic viral immunotherapy platforms based on novel, genetically modified adenovirus and herpes simplex virus (HSV) constructs, respectively. CAN-2409 is the lead product candidate from the adenovirus platform and CAN-3110 is the lead product candidate from the HSV platform. The enLIGHTEN™ Discovery Platform is based on Candel’s HSV technology.

For more information about Candel, visit www.candeltx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain disclosures that contain “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, without limitation, express or implied statements regarding the timing and advancement of development programs; key data readout milestones in the Company’s clinical trials; expectations regarding the therapeutic benefit of the Company’s programs; and expectations regarding cash runway and expenditures. The words “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “target” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and important factors that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those risks and uncertainties related to the timing and advancement of development programs; expectations regarding the therapeutic benefit of the Company’s programs; the Company’s ability to efficiently discover and develop product candidates; the Company’s ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of product candidates; the Company’s ability to maintain its intellectual property; the implementation of the Company’s business model, and strategic plans for the Company’s business and product candidates, and other risks identified in the Company’s SEC filings, including the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 12, 2021, and subsequent filings with the SEC. The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any such statements to reflect any change in expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent the Company’s views only as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date.

Media Contact
Heidi Chokeir, PhD
Managing Director
Canale Communications
heidi.chokeir@canalecomm.com
619-203-5391

Investor Contact
Sylvia Wheeler
Principal
Wheelhouse Life Science Advisors
swheeler@wheelhouselsa.com

FAQ

Who is the new Chief Technical and Development Officer of Candel Therapeutics?

Dr. Seshu Tyagarajan has been appointed as the Chief Technical and Development Officer of Candel Therapeutics.

What experience does Dr. Seshu Tyagarajan bring to Candel Therapeutics?

Dr. Tyagarajan has over 20 years of experience in biologics and cell and gene therapies, previously holding a significant role at Novartis.

What impact is Dr. Tyagarajan expected to have at Candel Therapeutics?

Her expertise in manufacturing and development is expected to enhance the company's technical operations and support its clinical trials for oncolytic viral therapies.

What is Candel Therapeutics known for?

Candel Therapeutics focuses on developing oncolytic viral immunotherapies to help patients combat cancer.