Day One Announces Retirement of Dr. Samuel Blackman, Co-Founder and Head of Research & Development
Day One Biopharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: DAWN) announced that co-founder and Head of Research & Development, Dr. Samuel Blackman, will retire at the end of 2024. He will continue as a strategic advisor while the company searches for a new Head of R&D. Under Dr. Blackman's leadership since 2018, Day One acquired and developed tovorafenib, which received FDA approval in April 2024. The company, focused on developing targeted therapies for life-threatening diseases, will have Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elly Barry lead the clinical and medical teams during the transition period.
Day One Biopharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: DAWN) ha annunciato che il co-fondatore e Responsabile Ricerca e Sviluppo, Dr. Samuel Blackman, si ritirerà alla fine del 2024. Continuerà a svolgere il ruolo di consulente strategico mentre l'azienda cerca un nuovo Responsabile R&D. Sotto la guida del Dr. Blackman dal 2018, Day One ha acquisito e sviluppato tovorafenib, che ha ricevuto l'approvazione della FDA nell'aprile 2024. L'azienda, focalizzata sullo sviluppo di terapie mirate per malattie potenzialmente letali, avrà il Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elly Barry a guidare i team clinici e medici durante il periodo di transizione.
Day One Biopharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: DAWN) anunció que el cofundador y Jefe de Investigación y Desarrollo, Dr. Samuel Blackman, se retirará a finales de 2024. Continuará como asesor estratégico mientras la empresa busca un nuevo Jefe de I+D. Bajo el liderazgo del Dr. Blackman desde 2018, Day One adquirió y desarrolló tovorafenib, que recibió la aprobación de la FDA en abril de 2024. La empresa, centrada en desarrollar terapias dirigidas para enfermedades potencialmente mortales, tendrá a la Directora Médica Dr. Elly Barry liderando los equipos clínicos y médicos durante el período de transición.
데이 원 바이오파마수티컬스 (Nasdaq: DAWN)는 공동 창립자이자 연구개발 책임자인 드. 사무엘 블랙맨이 2024년 말에 은퇴할 것이라고 발표했습니다. 그는 회사가 새로운 연구개발 책임자를 찾는 동안 전략적 고문으로 계속 활동할 것입니다. 2018년부터 블랙맨 박사가 이끌어온 데이 원은 토보라페닙을 인수하고 개발했으며, 이는 2024년 4월에 FDA의 승인을 받았습니다. 생명을 위협하는 질병에 대한 표적 치료법 개발에 주력하는 이 회사는 임상 및 의학 팀을 이끌기 위해 최고 의료 책임자인 드. 엘리 배리가 전환 기간 동안 팀을 이끌게 됩니다.
Day One Biopharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: DAWN) a annoncé que le cofondateur et Responsable de la Recherche et du Développement, Dr Samuel Blackman, prendra sa retraite à la fin de 2024. Il continuera à agir en tant que conseiller stratégique pendant que l'entreprise cherche un nouveau Responsable de la R&D. Sous la direction du Dr Blackman depuis 2018, Day One a acquis et développé tovorafenib, qui a reçu l'approbation de la FDA en avril 2024. L'entreprise, axée sur le développement de thérapies ciblées pour les maladies potentiellement mortelles, aura le Dr Elly Barry, Directrice Médicale, pour diriger les équipes cliniques et médicales pendant la période de transition.
Day One Biopharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: DAWN) gab bekannt, dass der Mitbegründer und Leiter der Forschung und Entwicklung, Dr. Samuel Blackman, Ende 2024 in den Ruhestand treten wird. Er wird weiterhin als strategischer Berater tätig sein, während das Unternehmen einen neuen Leiter für Forschung und Entwicklung sucht. Unter der Leitung von Dr. Blackman seit 2018 hat Day One Tovorafenib erworben und entwickelt, das im April 2024 von der FDA genehmigt wurde. Das Unternehmen, das sich auf die Entwicklung von zielgerichteten Therapien für lebensbedrohliche Erkrankungen spezialisiert hat, wird während der Übergangszeit von der Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elly Barry geleitet werden.
- Successfully developed and obtained FDA approval for tovorafenib in April 2024
- Established succession plan with CMO leading clinical teams during transition
- Founder remains involved as strategic advisor ensuring continuity
- Loss of key executive and co-founder could impact strategic direction
- Uncertainty during leadership transition in R&D department
Insights
The planned retirement of Dr. Blackman, while significant given his co-founder status and role in developing tovorafenib, should have minimal impact on Day One's immediate operations. The company has demonstrated foresight by planning for a structured transition through 2024, with Dr. Blackman continuing as an advisor and Dr. Barry stepping in to lead clinical teams. The successful FDA approval of tovorafenib in April 2024 represents the completion of Dr. Blackman's primary mission.
The timing of this transition appears strategic, coming after the important milestone of tovorafenib's approval. With this foundation established, Day One is well-positioned to continue its pediatric oncology focus under new R&D leadership. The company's market position and core strategy remain intact, supported by an experienced management team and established clinical programs.
Dr. Blackman’s departure planned for end of 2024
Company’s search for a new Head of R&D is ongoing
BRISBANE, Calif., Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: DAWN) (“Day One” or the “Company”), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing targeted therapies for people of all ages with life-threatening diseases, today announced that Samuel Blackman, M.D., Ph.D, co-founder and Head of Research & Development (R&D) of the Company, will be retiring effective at the end of 2024. He will continue to serve as a strategic advisor and consultant while the Company seeks a new Head of R&D.
“Sam’s passion for pediatric oncology and his commitment to our mission is what brought Day One from a seed of an idea to the company it is today,” said Jeremy Bender, chief executive officer of Day One. “We are grateful to Sam for his visionary leadership and relentless pursuit to transform the treatment landscape for children and families impacted by cancer. He has helped lay the foundation for Day One to become a long-term, sustainable enterprise and although we will miss his daily presence, Sam will always be part of the fabric of this company.”
Day One was co-founded in 2018 by Dr. Blackman and Julie Grant of Caanan Partners to identify, acquire, and develop promising new treatments that could address childhood cancers. Under his leadership, the Company acquired tovorafenib in 2019 and developed it through U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval in April 2024.
“The creation of Day One, the building of an incredible team with our unique culture, and the development and approval of tovorafenib has been one of the most remarkable and magical experiences of my life. I am, and will always be, profoundly grateful to everyone who has joined, advocated for, and invested in our mission and vision. We started Day One because it was clear that the oncology drug development revolution had left pediatric cancers behind, and that a new model would be required,” said Dr. Blackman. “Part of what we’ve illustrated at Day One is you can do good for children and their families and be a successful company at the same time. We have created a sustainable company with global reach and impact, and I have unending confidence in the company’s ability to grow its pipeline and continue to advance new drugs forward for years to come.”
Day One’s Chief Medical Officer, Elly Barry, M.D., will lead the clinical and medical teams while the Company searches for its new Head of R&D.
About Day One Biopharmaceuticals
Day One Biopharmaceuticals believes when it comes to pediatric cancer, we can do better. The Company was founded to address a critical unmet need: the dire lack of therapeutic development in pediatric cancer. Inspired by “The Day One Talk” that physicians have with patients and their families about an initial cancer diagnosis and treatment plan, Day One aims to re-envision cancer drug development and redefine what’s possible for all people living with cancer—regardless of age—starting from Day One.
Day One partners with leading clinical oncologists, families, and scientists to identify, acquire, and develop important targeted cancer treatments. The Company’s pipeline includes tovorafenib (OJEMDA™), DAY301 and a VRK1 inhibitor program.
Day One is based in Brisbane, California. For more information, please visit www.dayonebio.com or find the Company on LinkedIn or X.
Day One uses its Investor Relations website (ir.dayonebio.com), its X handle (x.com/DayOneBio), and LinkedIn Home Page (linkedin.com/company/dayonebio) as a means of disseminating or providing notification of, among other things, news or announcements regarding its business or financial performance, investor events, press releases, and earnings releases, and as a means of disclosing material nonpublic information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to: Day One’s plans to develop and commercialize cancer therapies and its pipeline. Statements including words such as “believe,” “plan,” “continue,” “expect,” “will,” “develop,” “signal,” “potential,” or “ongoing” and statements in the future tense are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions, which, if they do not fully materialize or prove incorrect, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause Day One’s actual activities or results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, including risks and uncertainties in this press release and other risks set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Day One’s ability to develop, obtain and retain regulatory approval for or commercialize any product candidate, Day One’s ability to protect intellectual property, the potential impact of global business or macroeconomic conditions, including as a result of inflation, rising interest rates, instability in the global banking system, geopolitical conflicts and the sufficiency of Day One’s cash, cash equivalents and investments to fund its operations. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and Day One specifically disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements or reasons why actual results might differ, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
DAY ONE MEDIA
Laura Cooper, Head of Communications
media@dayonebio.com
DAY ONE INVESTORS
LifeSci Advisors, PJ Kelleher
pkelleher@lifesciadvisors.com
FAQ
When is Dr. Samuel Blackman retiring from Day One Biopharmaceuticals (DAWN)?
What major achievement did Day One (DAWN) accomplish under Dr. Blackman's leadership?
Who will lead Day One's (DAWN) clinical teams during the R&D leadership transition?
