Calidi Biotherapeutics Announces Chief Executive Officer Transition and Appointment of Eric Poma, Ph.D. as CEO and Director
Calidi Biotherapeutics (NYSE American: CLDI) has announced a significant leadership transition, with Eric Poma, Ph.D. succeeding Allan Camaisa as CEO and Board Director, effective April 22, 2025. Camaisa will remain on the Board.
Dr. Poma brings over 30 years of biopharmaceutical industry experience, notably as CEO of Molecular Templates where he raised $250+ million in equity financing and secured $150+ million through strategic agreements with Takeda, Vertex, and BMS. His background includes roles at Innovive Pharmaceuticals, Imclone Systems, and as a Healthcare & Biotechnology Analyst.
The transition comes as Calidi, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, advances its systemic enveloped virotherapy platform, including preparations for a dose escalation trial of CLD-201 in adult patients with solid tumors. The company continues development of its CLD-400, CLD-101, and CLD-201 programs.
Calidi Biotherapeutics (NYSE American: CLDI) ha annunciato un importante cambiamento nella leadership, con Eric Poma, Ph.D. che succede ad Allan Camaisa come CEO e membro del Consiglio di Amministrazione, a partire dal 22 aprile 2025. Camaisa rimarrà nel Consiglio.
Il dottor Poma porta con sé oltre 30 anni di esperienza nell’industria biofarmaceutica, in particolare come CEO di Molecular Templates, dove ha raccolto più di 250 milioni di dollari in finanziamenti azionari e ottenuto oltre 150 milioni tramite accordi strategici con Takeda, Vertex e BMS. Il suo background include ruoli presso Innovive Pharmaceuticals, Imclone Systems e come analista nel settore Healthcare & Biotechnology.
La transizione avviene mentre Calidi, una società biotecnologica in fase clinica, avanza nella sua piattaforma di viroterapia sistemica con involucro, inclusi i preparativi per uno studio di escalation della dose di CLD-201 in pazienti adulti con tumori solidi. L’azienda prosegue lo sviluppo dei programmi CLD-400, CLD-101 e CLD-201.
Calidi Biotherapeutics (NYSE American: CLDI) ha anunciado una importante transición en su liderazgo, con Eric Poma, Ph.D. sucediendo a Allan Camaisa como CEO y miembro de la Junta Directiva, efectivo a partir del 22 de abril de 2025. Camaisa permanecerá en la Junta.
El Dr. Poma aporta más de 30 años de experiencia en la industria biofarmacéutica, destacándose como CEO de Molecular Templates, donde recaudó más de 250 millones de dólares en financiamiento de capital y aseguró más de 150 millones a través de acuerdos estratégicos con Takeda, Vertex y BMS. Su trayectoria incluye roles en Innovive Pharmaceuticals, Imclone Systems y como analista en Healthcare & Biotechnology.
La transición ocurre mientras Calidi, una compañía biotecnológica en etapa clínica, avanza en su plataforma de viroterapia sistémica con envoltura, incluyendo preparativos para un ensayo de escalada de dosis de CLD-201 en pacientes adultos con tumores sólidos. La empresa continúa desarrollando sus programas CLD-400, CLD-101 y CLD-201.
Calidi Biotherapeutics (NYSE American: CLDI)는 중대한 리더십 변화를 발표했으며, Eric Poma 박사가 2025년 4월 22일부터 CEO 및 이사회 이사로서 Allan Camaisa를 이어받습니다. Camaisa는 이사회에 남아있을 예정입니다.
Poma 박사는 30년 이상의 생명공학 산업 경험을 보유하고 있으며, 특히 Molecular Templates의 CEO로서 2억 5천만 달러 이상의 자본 조달과 Takeda, Vertex, BMS와의 전략적 계약을 통해 1억 5천만 달러 이상을 확보한 경력이 있습니다. 그의 경력에는 Innovive Pharmaceuticals, Imclone Systems 및 헬스케어 및 생명공학 분석가 역할도 포함됩니다.
이번 변화는 임상 단계의 생명공학 회사인 Calidi가 전신 포장 바이로테라피 플랫폼을 진전시키는 가운데 이루어졌으며, 고형암 성인 환자를 대상으로 한 CLD-201 용량 증량 시험 준비도 포함됩니다. 회사는 CLD-400, CLD-101, CLD-201 프로그램 개발을 계속 진행 중입니다.
Calidi Biotherapeutics (NYSE American : CLDI) a annoncé une transition importante au sein de sa direction, avec Eric Poma, Ph.D. succédant à Allan Camaisa en tant que CEO et membre du conseil d’administration, à compter du 22 avril 2025. Camaisa restera au conseil.
Le Dr Poma apporte plus de 30 ans d’expérience dans l’industrie biopharmaceutique, notamment en tant que CEO de Molecular Templates, où il a levé plus de 250 millions de dollars en fonds propres et obtenu plus de 150 millions via des accords stratégiques avec Takeda, Vertex et BMS. Son parcours inclut des postes chez Innovive Pharmaceuticals, Imclone Systems, ainsi qu’en tant qu’analyste en santé et biotechnologie.
Cette transition intervient alors que Calidi, une société biotechnologique en phase clinique, fait progresser sa plateforme de virothérapie systémique enveloppée, incluant les préparatifs pour un essai d’escalade de dose de CLD-201 chez des patients adultes atteints de tumeurs solides. L’entreprise poursuit le développement de ses programmes CLD-400, CLD-101 et CLD-201.
Calidi Biotherapeutics (NYSE American: CLDI) hat einen bedeutenden Führungswechsel angekündigt, bei dem Eric Poma, Ph.D. ab dem 22. April 2025 Allan Camaisa als CEO und Vorstandsmitglied ablöst. Camaisa bleibt im Vorstand.
Dr. Poma bringt über 30 Jahre Erfahrung in der biopharmazeutischen Industrie mit, insbesondere als CEO von Molecular Templates, wo er mehr als 250 Millionen US-Dollar an Eigenkapitalfinanzierung einwarb und über 150 Millionen US-Dollar durch strategische Vereinbarungen mit Takeda, Vertex und BMS sicherte. Sein Werdegang umfasst Positionen bei Innovive Pharmaceuticals, Imclone Systems sowie als Analyst im Bereich Healthcare & Biotechnology.
Der Wechsel erfolgt, während Calidi, ein biotechnologisches Unternehmen in der klinischen Entwicklungsphase, seine systemische, umhüllte Virotherapie-Plattform weiterentwickelt, einschließlich der Vorbereitung einer Dosiseskalationsstudie von CLD-201 bei erwachsenen Patienten mit soliden Tumoren. Das Unternehmen setzt die Entwicklung seiner Programme CLD-400, CLD-101 und CLD-201 fort.
- New CEO brings 30+ years of biopharmaceutical industry experience
- CEO's proven track record of raising significant capital ($250M+ equity, $150M+ strategic)
- Successful FDA approval obtained for first company-sponsored IND (CLD-201)
- Multiple clinical programs advancing (CLD-400, CLD-101, CLD-201)
- None.
SAN DIEGO, April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Calidi Biotherapeutics Inc. (NYSE American: CLDI) (“Calidi”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a new generation of targeted antitumor virotherapies, today announced the succession of its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Allan Camaisa, to Eric Poma, Ph.D., who was appointed as CEO and member of the Board of Directors of Calidi (“Board”), effective April 22, 2025. Mr. Camaisa will continue to serve as a member of the Board.
“We are pleased to welcome Eric as Calidi’s new CEO, given his deep experience in life science leadership with a focus on oncology, as Calidi advances its systemic enveloped virotherapy platform to the clinic and prepares for a company sponsored, dose escalation trial of CLD-201 in adult patients with solid tumors,” said Mr. James Schoeneck, Chairman of the Board. “On behalf of the Board, we would like to thank Allan for his visionary leadership in advancing a new platform with unique mechanisms of action in the treatment of cancer and look forward to his continued service on the Board.”
“I am thrilled to be joining Calidi at this exciting time, as the company progresses RTNova, its systemic, enveloped virotherapy platform with transient gene therapy payload delivery to the clinic with CLD-400 and continues to advance its CLD-101 and CLD-201 programs clinically,” said Dr. Poma. “I appreciate the solid foundation Allan has established at Calidi, the strong team that he has assembled and the opportunity to advance these groundbreaking therapies. I look forward to leveraging my experience not only as a biotech CEO, but also as a former business development executive and healthcare fund analyst, to drive and increase shareholder value.”
Dr. Poma brings more than 30 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, with a strong record of capital fundraising, big pharma collaboration agreements, and clinical program development. Prior to joining Calidi, Dr. Poma served as CEO of Molecular Templates (NASDAQ: MTEM), a clinical-stage biotech focused on the development of a novel class of therapeutic agents with unique biology in oncology. At Molecular Templates he raised over
“As the Company progresses with its clinical and preclinical programs, Calidi will benefit from Eric’s over 30 years of leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, having secured significant equity investments and big pharma collaborations,” stated Mr. Camaisa. “I am proud to have achieved our first company-sponsored FDA approved IND for CLD-201 and now, with this transition, I look forward to supporting the advancement of the Company as a Calidi board member and I am confident and excited about Calidi’s future under Eric’s leadership.”
About Calidi Biotherapeutics
Calidi Biotherapeutics (NYSE American: CLDI) is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company with proprietary technology designed to arm the immune system to fight cancer. Calidi’s novel stem cell-based platforms are utilizing potent allogeneic stem cells capable of carrying payloads of oncolytic viruses for use in multiple oncology indications, including high-grade gliomas and solid tumors. Calidi’s clinical stage off-the-shelf, universal cell-based delivery platforms are designed to protect, amplify, and potentiate oncolytic viruses leading to enhanced efficacy and improved patient safety. Calidi’s preclinical off-the-shelf enveloped virotherapies, are designed to target disseminated solid tumors. This dual approach can potentially treat, or even prevent, metastatic disease. Calidi Biotherapeutics is headquartered in San Diego, California. For more information, please visit www.calidibio.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements for purposes of the “safe harbor” provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Terms such as “anticipates,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predicts,” “project,” “should,” “towards,” “would” as well as similar terms, are forward-looking in nature, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning upcoming key milestones (including the reporting of interim clinical results and the dosing of patients), planned clinical trials, and statements relating to the safety and efficacy of Calidi’s therapeutic candidates in development. Any forward-looking statements contained in this discussion are based on Calidi’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects and are subject to multiple risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth or implied in such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk that Calidi is not able to raise sufficient capital to support its current and anticipated clinical trials, the risk that early results of clinical trials do not necessarily predict final results and that one or more of the clinical outcomes may materially change following more comprehensive review of the data, and as more patient data becomes available, the risk that Calidi may not receive FDA approval for some or all of its therapeutic candidates. Other risks and uncertainties are set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in the Company’s Registration Statements filed with the SEC on (i) Form S-4 filed on August 2, 2023 and the corresponding prospectus filed on August 4, 2023, and (ii) on Form S-1 filed on April 15, 2024, and the Company’s periodic reports filed with the SEC on (i) Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2025. These reports may be amended or supplemented by other reports we file with the SEC from time to time.
Corporate Communications:
Dave Gentry, CEO
RedChip Companies, Inc.
1-407-644-4256
CLDI@redchip.com
Source: Calidi Biotherapeutics, Inc.
FAQ
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