LAVA Therapeutics Announces Appointment of Amy Garabedian as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Rhea-AI Summary

LAVA Therapeutics N.V. (Nasdaq: LVTX) has appointed Amy Garabedian as its new general counsel and corporate secretary. With over 15 years of experience in the life sciences sector, Garabedian previously served as associate general counsel at Spark Therapeutics. Her expertise in corporate and strategic legal matters is expected to bolster LAVA's clinical development efforts as it advances its bispecific gamma-delta T cell engagers for cancer treatment. LAVA plans to report Phase 1 clinical data in 2022, reinforcing its commitment to innovative cancer therapies.

Positive

• Appointment of Amy Garabedian is expected to strengthen the legal and corporate oversight.
• Garabedian's extensive experience in life sciences may enhance LAVA's strategic development.
• Company's pipeline focusing on bispecific gamma-delta T cell engagers is advancing into clinical stages.

Negative

• Dependence on upcoming clinical trial results introduces inherent risks.
• Forward-looking statements may carry uncertainties regarding clinical trial timelines and outcomes.

UTRECHT, The Netherlands and PHILADELPHIA, July 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LAVA Therapeutics N.V. (Nasdaq: LVTX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing bispecific gamma-delta T cell engagers to transform the treatment of cancer, today announced the appointment of Amy Garabedian as general counsel and corporate secretary. Ms. Garabedian is a seasoned leader with extensive corporate and transactional expertise within the life science industry.

“We are very pleased to welcome Amy to our executive team. Amy’s proven experience across a wide range of complex strategic legal and corporate matters in life sciences will be invaluable as our differentiated pipeline of bispecific gamma-delta T cell engagers for both solid and hematological malignancies further advances into the clinic,” said Stephen Hurly, president and chief executive officer of LAVA Therapeutics.

Ms. Garabedian stated, “I have spent my career combining my passion for science and law to create innovative business solutions to help improve the lives of patients. LAVA is well-positioned to be a leader in developing selective and transformative cancer treatments and I look forward to helping shape our evolving business, science, development programs and efforts to bring bispecific gamma-delta T cell engagers to patients during this important stage of significant growth and opportunity.”

Amy Garabedian has over 15-years of experience advising pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies from early-stage start-ups to multi-national public companies. Most recently, Ms. Garabedian served as associate general counsel of Spark Therapeutics (Roche) where she helped drive the successful U.S. launch of the first gene therapy and led key business development transactions enabling pre-clinical, clinical and commercial product development. She holds a B.S. in genetics and developmental biology from Penn State University, a M.S. in regulatory affairs from Temple University and a J.D. from Widener University Delaware School of Law.

About LAVA
LAVA Therapeutics N.V. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a portfolio of bispecific gamma-delta T cell engagers for the treatment of solid and hematological malignancies. The company’s innovative approach utilizes bispecific antibodies engineered to selectively kill cancer cells via the triggering of Vγ9Vδ2 T cell antitumor effector functions upon cross-linking to tumor associated antigens. A Phase 1/2a clinical study evaluating LAVA-051 in patients with certain hematological malignancies is enrolling patients. The Company currently estimates to have data from the Phase 1 dose escalation phase of the study in the first half of 2022 with top line clinical data from the Phase 2a expansion cohorts expected in the second half of 2022. The Company plans to initiate a Phase 1/2a clinical study to evaluate LAVA-1207 in patients with prostate cancer in the second half of 2021. For more information, please visit www.lavatherapeutics.com.

LAVA’s Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including in respect of the company’s anticipated growth and clinical developments plans, including the timing of clinical trials. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “should,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “potential” 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 LAVA’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements about the progress, timing, clinical development and scope of clinical trials and the reporting of clinical data for LAVA’s product candidates, and the potential use of our product candidates to treat various tumor targets. Many factors may cause differences between current expectations and actual results including unexpected safety or efficacy data observed during preclinical trials, changes in expected or existing competition, changes in the regulatory environment, failure of LAVA’s collaborators to support or advance collaborations or product candidates and unexpected litigation or other disputes, among others. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic may disrupt our business and that of the third parties on which we depend, including delaying or otherwise disrupting our clinical trials and preclinical studies, manufacturing and supply chain, or impairing employee productivity. LAVA assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations, even as new information becomes available.

Investor Contact:

Corey Davis, Ph.D.
LifeSci Advisors
cdavis@lifesciadvisors.com
212-915-2577

FAQ

Who is Amy Garabedian and what role has she taken at LAVA Therapeutics?

Amy Garabedian has been appointed as the general counsel and corporate secretary at LAVA Therapeutics, bringing extensive experience from the life sciences sector.

What is the significance of Garabedian's appointment for LAVA Therapeutics (LVTX)?

Her appointment is expected to enhance legal oversight and support LAVA's clinical development, particularly in advancing their bispecific gamma-delta T cell engagers.

What are the clinical developments expected from LAVA Therapeutics in 2022?

LAVA anticipates reporting Phase 1 clinical data for its product candidates in the first half of 2022.

What challenges might LAVA Therapeutics face with its new appointments?

LAVA may face challenges related to the inherent risks of clinical trials and uncertainties in achieving projected timelines.