Tempest Announces Appointment of Christine Pellizzari to its Board of Directors

Rhea-AI Summary

Tempest Therapeutics (Nasdaq: TPST) has appointed Christine Pellizzari, a 20-year industry veteran, to its Board of Directors. CEO Steve Brady emphasized the importance of her broad experience in supporting the company’s growth and advancing its oncology pipeline. Pellizzari, currently the chief legal officer at Insmed, has a strong background in legal and regulatory affairs, having overseen successful IPOs and compliance infrastructure in previous roles. Tempest continues to develop its promising clinical programs, TPST-1495 and TPST-1120, which are in Phase 1 studies for cancer treatment.

Positive

• Appointment of Christine Pellizzari to the Board of Directors, bringing extensive industry experience.
• Pellizzari's background in regulatory affairs and successful IPO oversight can strengthen corporate governance.
• Continued advancement of the oncology pipeline with promising clinical programs TPST-1495 and TPST-1120.

Negative

• None.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, July 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TPST) (“Tempest”), a clinical-stage oncology company developing potentially first-in-class therapeutics that combine both targeted and immune-mediated mechanisms, today announced the appointment of 20-year industry veteran Christine Pellizzari to the company’s Board of Directors.

“We are very excited to welcome Christine to our Board of Directors at this important point for Tempest as a newly public company,” said Steve Brady, chief executive officer of Tempest. “Christine’s broad experience and leadership will be valuable as we continue to grow and advance our pipeline of novel, potentially first-in-class compounds to treat cancer.”

Christine has extensive leadership experience in the global pharma industry and currently serves as chief legal officer at Insmed Incorporated, a global biopharmaceutical company, where she has global responsibility for legal and government affairs. During her tenure, Christine has supported multiple public equity and debt offerings, served as interim head of regulatory affairs through a U.S. FDA Advisory Committee and NDA approval and built the legal and compliance infrastructure to support commercialization of the drug in the U.S., Europe and Japan.

Prior to Insmed, Christine served as executive vice president, general counsel and secretary of Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where she oversaw all legal aspects of the company’s successful IPO and secondary public offering and served as a member of the Executive Management Committee. Prior to Aegerion, Christine served as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary of Dendrite International, Inc., a publicly traded company that provided sales effectiveness, promotional and compliance solutions to the pharmaceutical industry. As a member of the company’s senior management team, she led many critical initiatives including the sale of the company to Cegedim S.A. in 2007. Christine received her Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

“Tempest has a promising, diversified pipeline of both clinical and preclinical programs,” said Ms. Pellizzari. “I believe these programs have the potential to offer meaningful benefit to patients with cancer, and I am honored to join the board and look forward to being a part of the company’s continued progress and success.”

About Tempest Therapeutics

Tempest Therapeutics is a clinical-stage oncology company advancing small molecules that combine both targeted and immune-mediated mechanisms with the potential to treat a wide range of tumors. The company’s two novel clinical programs are TPST-1495 and TPST-1120, antagonists of EP2/EP4 and PPARα, respectively. Both TPST-1495 and TPST-1120 are advancing through Phase 1 studies designed to study both agents as monotherapies and in combination with other approved agents. Tempest is also developing an orally-available inhibitor of TREX-1 designed to activate selectively the cGAS/STING pathway, an innate immune response pathway important for the development of anti-tumor immunity. Tempest is headquartered in South San Francisco and supported by notable healthcare investors. More information about Tempest can be found on the company’s website at www.tempesttx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements (including within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)) concerning Tempest Therapeutics. These statements may discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future plans, trends, events, results of operations or financial condition, or otherwise, based on current beliefs of the management of Tempest Therapeutics, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management of Tempest Therapeutics. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could”, “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “likely,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “continue” and other similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: our strategies, prospects, plans, expectations or objectives for future operations; the progress, scope or timing of the development of our product candidates; the benefits that may be derived from any future products or the commercial or market opportunity with respect to any of our future products; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights; our anticipated operations, financial position, ability to raise capital to fund operations, revenues, costs or expenses; statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; statements of belief and any statement of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.  Many of these risks are described in greater detail in the proxy statement/prospectus filed by Millendo Therapeutics with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to our recently completed merger.  Except as required by applicable law, Tempest Therapeutics undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Contacts:

Sylvia Wheeler
Wheelhouse Life Science Advisors
swheeler@wheelhouselsa.com

Aljanae Reynolds
Wheelhouse Life Science Advisors
areynolds@wheelhouselsa.com 

FAQ

What is the significance of Christine Pellizzari's appointment to Tempest Therapeutics' board?

Christine Pellizzari's appointment is significant as she brings 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, which could enhance the company's governance and support its growth strategy.

What experience does Christine Pellizzari have that could benefit Tempest Therapeutics?

Pellizzari has a strong background in legal and regulatory affairs, having supported multiple public offerings and built compliance infrastructure in previous roles, which is valuable for Tempest's growth.

What are the main clinical programs Tempest Therapeutics is developing?

Tempest is developing two clinical programs, TPST-1495 and TPST-1120, which are currently advancing through Phase 1 studies aimed at treating various cancers.

How might the board change affect Tempest Therapeutics' future?

The addition of a seasoned professional like Pellizzari might bring fresh perspectives and strategic direction, potentially enhancing the company's ability to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities.