Genexine Appoints Industry Veteran Neil Warma as Chief Executive Officer to Accelerate Global Growth, Product Commercialization and Innovation

Rhea-AI Summary

Genexine, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, announces the appointment of Neil Warma as President and CEO. With over 25 years of leadership in healthcare, Warma aims to enhance global drug development and commercialization. The company focuses on expanding its pipeline, particularly in immunotherapeutics and long-acting biologics, and plans to file several important BLAs in the next 1-3 years. Genexine is currently conducting over 20 clinical trials, including Phase 3 studies, with initial data expected soon, which could drive shareholder value.

Positive

• Appointment of Neil Warma as CEO, bringing extensive leadership experience.
• Focus on expanding pipeline with innovative products.
• Conducting over 20 clinical trials, including Phase 3 trials.
• Expectations to file several important BLAs in the next 1-3 years.
• Planned announcements of Phase 1b/2 and Phase 2 clinical data soon.

Negative

• Uncertainty around the execution of Warma's vision and company strategy.
• Potential challenges in expanding into U.S. and European markets.

- Genexine to focus on global drug development and commercialization

- Near term milestones should drive shareholder value

- Renewed effort to expand pipeline with an emphasis on novel, differentiated products

SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Genexine (KOSDAQ: 095700) a publicly traded, clinical stage biopharmaceutical company committed to the discovery and development of novel biologics for the treatment of unmet medical needs, announced the appointment of Neil Warma as its President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Warma who has over 25 years of experience as a global entrepreneur, company builder and successful CEO will lead Genexine onto the world stage with a focus on advancing Genexine’s key products to market, expanding its pipeline and focusing on global drug development.

Mr. Warma has been a successful healthcare entrepreneur for over 25 years having led and managed numerous biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies across the globe. From 2019-2022, Mr. Warma was the General Manager of I-Mab Biopharma U.S., (Nasdaq:IMAB) with offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Lishui and Hong Kong in China, and Maryland and San Diego, in the U.S., where he was a member of the executive team responsible for the Company’s expansion onto the global stage and for establishing I-Mab’s state-of-the-art research facilities in San Diego, California. From 2008-2017, Mr. Warma was President, CEO and Director of Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:OPXA), a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company developing novel cellular therapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, where he orchestrated global deals with Novartis and Merck Serono. From 2004-2007, he was President, CEO and Director of Viron Therapeutics, a private biotechnology company developing novel protein-based therapeutics for cardiovascular disease and transplantation. In 2000, Mr. Warma co-founded and later sold MedExact, a health-technology company dedicated to providing an interface between physicians and pharmaceutical companies. From 1992-2000, Mr. Warma held several key senior management roles at Novartis Pharmaceuticals at its corporate headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, in Pharma Policy and Global Marketing. Mr. Warma obtained an honors Bachelor of Science degree specializing in neuroscience from the University of Toronto and an International MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto. Mr. Warma currently serves on the Board of ProMIS Neurosciences (TSX:PMN) and the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). Mr. Warma has also been a member of the Board of Directors of Genexine since March 2021 and will continue to serve on the Board as an Executive Director.

“I am deeply honored to have been selected as Genexine’s new CEO by the Board of Directors,” said Mr. Warma. “The Company has built a strong scientific foundation based on novel science and differentiated technology over several years. My focus will be to commercialize existing late stage products and further expand Genexine’s pipeline of life-saving products with a focus on first and best-in-class products. We will not only leverage our strength and position as a leading Korean biopharmaceutical company but will also expand our reach into the U.S. and Europe to increase our shareholder base and access new technology and top talent. Genexine has an exciting pipeline and with its global partners is conducting over 20 clinical trials, several in Phase 3 registrational trials. We expect to file several important BLAs in the next 1-3 years and commercialize our first products shortly thereafter.”

“My goal is to introduce the biotech world to the top-class technology we have developed in Korea such that we can leverage our clinical data in the US and EU to reduce our development costs and speed the delivery of our products to the patient. We will also look to secure partnerships with global multinational pharmaceutical partners to share costs and leverage their substantial expertise. We are excited to be reporting some near term milestones coming up over the next several months with the planned announcement of Phase 1b/2 clinical data in our potential blockbuster product, GX-I7, the long-acting recombinant Interleukin-7 protein and Phase 2 data in our first-in-class DNA cancer vaccine being studied in cervical and head and neck cancers. These near term milestones should demonstrate our ability to execute and advance our products towards the market and, ultimately, to the patient,” added Mr. Warma.

About Genexine

Genexine, Inc. is a publicly traded, clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of immunotherapeutics and next-generation long-acting biologics. Its primary technology platforms are Therapeutic DNA vaccine technology and hyFc™ fusion technology. The Company has multiple products in clinical development including several undergoing Phase 3 registrational trials. The Company's proprietary pipeline includes GX-188 for cervical and head and neck cancers. GX-I7 for multiple cancers, GX-H9 for Pediatric Growth Hormone Deficiency, and GX-E4 for CKD-induced anemia, among others. Genexine has established multiple partnerships with global companies in order to expedite product development and commercialization and create significant value. Genexine is listed on the Korean exchange (KOSDAQ: 095700) and is headquartered in Seoul, Korea. Genexine is committed to the well-being and care of patients worldwide.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220524006055/en/

Mr. Jongsoo Lee

Investor Relations, Genexine, Inc.

jongsoo.lee@genexine.com

Source: Genexine, Inc.

FAQ

Who is Neil Warma and what experience does he bring to Genexine?

Neil Warma is the newly appointed CEO of Genexine, with over 25 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, including leadership roles at I-Mab Biopharma and Opexa Therapeutics.

What are the key goals of the new CEO at Genexine?

Neil Warma aims to commercialize existing late-stage products and expand Genexine's pipeline, focusing on first and best-in-class biologics.

What are Genexine's upcoming clinical trial milestones?

Genexine plans to announce Phase 1b/2 data for GX-I7 and Phase 2 data for its DNA cancer vaccine in the coming months.

How does Genexine plan to increase its shareholder base?

Genexine seeks to expand its reach into the U.S. and Europe, leveraging global partnerships and developing innovative products.

What is Genexine's focus in drug development?

Genexine focuses on developing immunotherapeutics and next-generation long-acting biologics, with several products currently in clinical development.