NightHawk Biosciences Appoints Stephan Kutzer, Ph.D. as Interim Chief Executive Officer of Scorpion Biological Services

Rhea-AI Summary

DURHAM, N.C., June 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NightHawk Biosciences (NYSE American: NHWK) announced Dr. Stephan Kutzer as Interim CEO of Scorpion Biological Services. Dr. Kutzer, with over 25 years in the pharmaceutical sector, aims to lead Scorpion through its next growth phase amid the ongoing development of biomanufacturing facilities in San Antonio and Manhattan, Kansas. His extensive background includes leadership roles at Alcami Corporation and Lonza Group AG, which generated over $1.6 billion in annual sales. This appointment reflects NightHawk's ambition to expand its capabilities in cell and gene therapies.

Positive

• Appointment of Dr. Stephan Kutzer as Interim CEO may enhance leadership and operational efficiency.
• Dr. Kutzer's extensive experience could accelerate growth initiatives at Scorpion.
• The ongoing development of biomanufacturing facilities potentially positions NightHawk for future expansion.

Negative

• Potential concerns about continuity during the leadership transition.
• Uncertainties related to achieving growth targets and operational effectiveness under new leadership.

DURHAM, N.C., June 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NightHawk Biosciences (NYSE American: NHWK), a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on developing first-in-class therapies to modulate the immune system, today announced the appointment of Stephan Kutzer, Ph.D. as Interim Chief Executive Officer of Scorpion Biological Services. Dr. Kutzer currently serves on Scorpion’s advisory board.

Dr. Kutzer brings more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, building and managing successful contract development and manufacturing organizations. He previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Alcami Corporation, a leading provider of development, analytical testing and manufacturing services to the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Prior to this, he served as President, Divisional CEO and Chief Operating Officer of the Pharma Biotech & Customer Manufacturing division of Lonza Group AG, a multinational manufacturing company for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, where he had full oversight of the division, which generated over $1.6 billion in annual sales. He also served as a member of the Executive Management Board of Lonza Group AG; President of Lonza Biologics Inc; Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lonza Singapore Inc; Chairman of the Board of Directors of Teva-Lonza TL Biopharmaceuticals AG; Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lonza Biologics plc.; and President and Chairman of Lonza Inc. Dr. Kutzer previously served as an Executive Director on the board of directors for the Drug, Chemical & Associated Technologies Association (DCAT). Dr. Kutzer earned a master’s degree in Chemical and Process Engineering and a Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences from the Technical University of Munich, Germany.

Jeff Wolf, CEO of NightHawk and Chairman of Scorpion, commented, “Given the dynamic evolution of Scorpion and rapid progress with construction of our San Antonio and Manhattan, Kansas biomanufacturing facilities, we are delighted to welcome Stephan on board. Throughout his more than 25 years in the biomanufacturing space, Stephan has built and managed several successful contract development and global manufacturing organizations. We tapped Stephan from Scorpion’s advisory board to lead Scorpion through its next phase of growth, and we believe his proven track record will be invaluable to our future success.”

Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Kutzer stated, “This is an exciting time at Scorpion as we seek to build a robust and fully integrated CDMO. I am honored to have this opportunity and look forward to supporting Scorpion through this next phase of growth.”

About Scorpion Biological Services
Scorpion Biological Services is a contract research, and contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) focused on cell- and gene-based therapies and large molecule biologics. Scorpion provides a broad array of clinical-scale biomanufacturing, analytical and R&D services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies from its San Antonio, Texas facilities. Scorpion also plans to offer commercial-scale biomanufacturing from its newly announced site in Manhattan, Kansas. Additional information is available at: https://www.scorpionbio.com/.

NightHawk Biosciences, Inc.
NightHawk Biosciences is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of new drugs from discovery through commercialization. The Company leverages its integrated ecosystem of subsidiaries to accelerate the development of novel therapies that arm the immune system, breaking through barriers that prolong traditional drug development. This empowers us to bring our ideas to life with efficient control, superior quality, and uncharacteristic agility.

For more information on the Company and is subsidiaries, please visit: www.nighthawkbio.com, and also follow us on Twitter.

Forward Looking Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "should," "potential," "continue," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," and similar expressions, and include statements such as Stephan Kutzer’s proven track record being invaluable to our future success Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, the contribution to be made by Stephan Kutzer, the ability to progress the company’s efforts under the NightHawk banner, whether the combined business of NightHawk and Elusys will be successful, NightHawk’s ability to successfully operate as a CDMO, NightHawk’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to maintain license agreements, the continued maintenance and growth of NightHawk’s and its subsidiaries’ patent estates, NightHawk’s product candidates demonstrating safety and effectiveness, as well as results that are consistent with prior results, the ability to initiate clinical trials and if initiated, the ability to complete them on time and achieve the desired results and benefits continuing enrollment as expected, the ability to obtain regulatory approval for commercialization of product candidates or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements, regulatory limitations relating to NightHawk’s ability to promote or commercialize its product candidates for the specific indications, acceptance of product candidates in the marketplace and the successful development, marketing or sale of NightHawk’s products, developments by competitors that render such products obsolete or non-competitive, and other factors described in NightHawk’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Qs and any other filings NightHawk makes with the SEC. The information in this presentation is provided only as of the date presented, and NightHawk undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this presentation on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Media and Investor Relations Contact
David Waldman
+1 919 289 4017
investorrelations@heatbio.com

 

FAQ

Who is the new Interim CEO of Scorpion Biological Services?

Dr. Stephan Kutzer has been appointed as the Interim CEO of Scorpion Biological Services.

What is Dr. Kutzer's experience in the pharmaceutical industry?

Dr. Kutzer has over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including leadership roles at Alcami Corporation and Lonza Group AG.

What are Scorpion Biological Services' growth plans under Dr. Kutzer?

Scorpion plans to expand its biomanufacturing capabilities and enhance its offerings in cell and gene therapies.

What impact could Dr. Kutzer's appointment have on NightHawk Biosciences?

His extensive experience may strengthen NightHawk's operations and aid in achieving its growth objectives.

Where are Scorpion Biological Services' new biomanufacturing facilities located?

Scorpion is developing biomanufacturing facilities in San Antonio, Texas, and Manhattan, Kansas.