Werewolf Therapeutics Appoints Mike Sherman to its Board of Directors

Rhea-AI Summary

Werewolf Therapeutics (NASDAQ: HOWL) appointed Mike Sherman, CEO of Chimerix, Inc., to its board of directors, enhancing the company's leadership during a critical growth phase. Sherman brings over 30 years of experience in biotechnology, including a successful tenure at Endocyte, where he led a $2.1 billion acquisition by Novartis. His expertise in corporate strategy and product focus will support Werewolf's advancements in its innovative cancer therapies, notably the WTX-124 and WTX-330 candidates, which are progressing towards clinical development.

Positive

• Appointment of Mike Sherman strengthens board expertise and leadership.
• Sherman's background includes successful strategic transactions, particularly the $2.1 billion sale of Endocyte to Novartis.
• Expected guidance on advancing lead candidates WTX-124 and WTX-330 into clinical development.

Negative

• Potential concerns regarding continuity and experience gaps with new board leadership.

Over 30 years of experience in advancing therapeutics to commercial launch and driving companies to successful operations and strategic transactions

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOWL), an innovative biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of conditionally activated therapeutics engineered to stimulate the body’s immune system for the treatment of cancer, today announced the appointment of Mike Sherman, chief executive officer of Chimerix, Inc., as a member of its board of directors.

“The promise of immunotherapy has long been appreciated, but never fully realized. Werewolf has pioneered an elegant approach that may finally unleash that potential. This platform may translate to multiple drugs to address numerous challenges to treating cancers,” Mr. Sherman said. “I am excited about the prospect of bringing this platform to patients and believe that the experienced Werewolf team can drive quickly to that milestone.”

“I am very pleased to welcome Mike to our board of directors during this exciting phase of growth for our company,” added Luke Evnin, Chairman of the Board of Directors and co-founder of Werewolf Therapeutics. “Mike’s experience in leading companies through various stages of development, shaping corporate strategy and leading companies to successful strategic transactions compliment those of the current board members. I am confident Mike’s unique product-focused background and operational excellence will provide important guidance to Werewolf as we seek to advance our lead candidates, WTX-124 and WTX-330, into clinical development.”

Mr. Sherman joins the Werewolf board of directors with more than 30 years’ experience in the biotechnology and medical technology industries. He is currently Chief Executive Officer of Chimerix. Before joining Chimerix, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Endocyte, Inc. and led it to its $2.1 billion acquisition by Novartis in 2018. Mr. Sherman joined Endocyte in 2006 and served as its Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer prior to becoming Chief Executive Officer in 2016. Mr. Sherman repositioned the company by re-prioritizing the pipeline, acquiring an external asset, and aggressively executing a phase 3 regulatory and clinical strategy, and was instrumental in Endocyte’s IPO and four subsequent financings. Prior to joining Endocyte, Mr. Sherman served in various executive roles, including as vice president of finance and strategic planning for Guidant Corporation, which was acquired by Boston Scientific Corporation. Mr. Sherman holds a BA in economics from DePauw University and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, graduating as a Tuck Scholar. Mr. Sherman currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis as past chairman. He also served on the Boards of Directors at Biospecifics Technologies, Inc. until its acquisition by Endo Pharmaceuticals and Mead Johnson Nutrition until its acquisition by Reckitt Benckiser.

About Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc.
Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc. is an innovative biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of therapeutics engineered to stimulate the body’s immune system for the treatment of cancer. We are leveraging our proprietary PREDATOR™ platform to design conditionally activated molecules that stimulate both adaptive and innate immunity with the goal of addressing the limitations of conventional proinflammatory immune therapies. Our INDUKINE™ molecules are intended to remain inactive in peripheral tissue yet activate selectively in the tumor microenvironment. Our most advanced product candidates, WTX-124 and WTX-330, are systemically delivered, conditionally activated Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and Interleukin-12 (IL-12) INDUKINE molecules for the treatment of solid tumors. We are continuing preclinical studies for both WTX-124 and WTX-330 and expect to advance each candidate in multiple tumor types as a single agent and in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor.

Investor Contact:
Alan Lada
Solebury Trout
617.221.8006
alada@soleburytrout.com

Media Contact:
Amanda Sellers
VERGE Scientific Communications
301.332.5574
asellers@vergescientific.com

Company Contact:
Ellen Lubman
Chief Business Officer
Werewolf Therapeutics
elubman@werewolftx.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ccffb6f0-b999-4bb5-a358-92ae825359cb

FAQ

Who is the new board member appointed by Werewolf Therapeutics?

Mike Sherman, CEO of Chimerix, Inc., was appointed to the board of Werewolf Therapeutics.

What experience does Mike Sherman bring to Werewolf Therapeutics?

Mike Sherman has over 30 years of experience in biotechnology, including leading Endocyte to a $2.1 billion acquisition by Novartis.

What is the significance of Mike Sherman's appointment for Werewolf (HOWL)?

Sherman's appointment is expected to enhance leadership and provide strategic guidance to advance Werewolf's lead candidates in immunotherapy.

What product candidates are being advanced by Werewolf Therapeutics?

Werewolf is advancing WTX-124 and WTX-330, both designed for the treatment of solid tumors.

What is the focus of Werewolf Therapeutics in cancer treatment?

Werewolf Therapeutics focuses on conditionally activated therapeutics aimed at stimulating the immune system for cancer treatment.