Kezar Life Sciences Appoints Gitanjali Jain as Vice President, Investor Relations and External Affairs

Rhea-AI Summary

Kezar Life Sciences (NASDAQ: KZR) has appointed Gitanjali Jain as Vice President of Investor Relations and External Affairs. Jain brings over 15 years of healthcare experience, previously advising biopharmaceutical companies at Solebury Trout. She will guide Kezar's investor relations and scientific communications. CEO John Fowler expressed enthusiasm about her addition, anticipating her expertise will enhance the company's efforts in developing therapies for immune-mediated and oncologic disorders, including KZR-616 and KZR-261.

Positive

• Gitanjali Jain appointed as VP, bringing over 15 years of healthcare experience.
• Strengthened leadership could enhance investor relations and scientific communications.

Negative

• Potential continuity concerns due to new leadership dynamics.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kezar Life Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: KZR), a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing breakthrough treatments for immune-mediated and oncologic disorders, today announced the appointment of Gitanjali Jain as Vice President, Investor Relations and External Affairs. As a member of the management team and executive committee, Ms. Jain will lead Kezar’s overall investor relations, public relations, and scientific communications efforts.

“We are thrilled to welcome Gita to the team as we continue to work towards delivering novel therapies to patients living with challenging diseases," said John Fowler, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kezar Life Sciences. "Gita’s strong relationships with investors and proven track record of success in the sector will add tremendous value to Kezar, and I look forward to working in partnership with her.”

“I am excited to join Kezar at a pivotal time for the Company as we continue to advance KZR-616, our first-in class immunoproteasome inhibitor and KZR-261, our first in class protein secretion inhibitor,” said Ms. Jain. “I am honored to be able to contribute to the team and to the future growth of Kezar as we work to create therapeutics addressing areas of high unmet need for patients.”

Gita joins Kezar with over 15 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Prior to Kezar, she was Managing Director at Solebury Trout where she advised more than 50 biopharmaceutical companies on corporate strategy, investor relations, communication and capital market transactions. Previously, she worked in the lab as a research associate at Medarex and StemCells, Inc. Gita holds a M.A. in Biology from New York University, a B.A. in Economics from Brown University, and has been previously designated as a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 7, 63, and 79 Financial and Operations Principal license holder.

About Kezar Life Sciences

Kezar Life Sciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing breakthrough treatments for immune-mediated and oncologic disorders. The company is pioneering first-in-class, small-molecule therapies that harness master regulators of cellular function to inhibit multiple drivers of disease via single, powerful targets. KZR-616, its lead development candidate, is a selective immunoproteasome inhibitor being evaluated in Phase 2 clinical trials in lupus nephritis, dermatomyositis and polymyositis. Additionally, KZR-261, is the first anti-cancer clinical candidate from the company’s platform targeting the Sec61 translocon and the protein secretion pathway. An IND submission for KZR-261 in solid tumors was filed in August 2021, and Kezar plans to initiate an open-label dose-escalation Phase 1 clinical trial of KZR-261 to assess safety, tolerability and preliminary tumor activity in solid tumors. For more information, visit www.kezarlifesciences.com.

Cautionary Note on Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “believe” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Kezar’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties that could cause Kezar’s clinical development programs, future results or performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements about the design, progress, timing, scope and results of clinical trials, the anticipated timing of disclosure of results of clinical trials and the anticipated regulatory development of Kezar’s product candidates. Orphan Drug Designation does not provide any assurance of regulatory approval or expedite regulatory review. Many factors may cause differences between current expectations and actual results, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the company’s business, clinical trials and financial position, unexpected safety or efficacy data observed during preclinical or clinical studies, clinical trial site activation or enrollment rates that are lower than expected, changes in expected or existing competition, changes in the regulatory environment, the uncertainties and timing of the regulatory approval process, and unexpected litigation or other disputes. Other factors that may cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements in this press release are discussed in Kezar’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” contained therein. Except as required by law, Kezar assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations, even as new information becomes available.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211005006143/en/

Gitanjali Jain

Vice President, Investor Relations and External Affairs

650-269-7523

gjain@kezarbio.com

Kimberly Minarovich

Argot Partners

212-600-1902

kezar@argotpartners.com

Source: Kezar Life Sciences, Inc.

FAQ

Who is Gitanjali Jain and what is her role at Kezar Life Sciences?

Gitanjali Jain has been appointed as Vice President of Investor Relations and External Affairs at Kezar Life Sciences.

What experience does Gitanjali Jain have prior to joining Kezar Life Sciences?

Jain has over 15 years of experience in the healthcare sector, previously serving as Managing Director at Solebury Trout.

What are the key responsibilities of the new VP at Kezar Life Sciences?

Jain will lead Kezar’s overall investor relations, public relations, and scientific communications.

What impact could Gitanjali Jain’s appointment have on Kezar Life Sciences?

Her expertise may improve investor relations and enhance the communication of scientific advancements.

What are the main products being developed by Kezar Life Sciences?

Kezar is developing KZR-616, an immunoproteasome inhibitor, and KZR-261, a protein secretion inhibitor.