Achilles Therapeutics (“Achilles”), a biopharmaceutical company developing novel cancer immunotherapies targeting clonal neoantigens, today announced that it has appointed senior pharmaceutical executive Michael F. Giordano, M.D., to its Board of Directors.
Dr. Iraj Ali, Achilles’ Chief Executive Officer, commented:
“We are delighted to welcome Michael Giordano to our Board of Directors. We are developing next-generation, truly patient-specific clonal-neoantigen therapies that will harness the immune system to destroy cancer cells. Michael brings a unique experience and insight that matches the ambition of Achilles and is a highly accomplished leader in our industry with an incredible track record and unique expertise in developing industry-changing immunotherapies that have fundamentally changed how cancer is treated. We look forward to drawing on his extensive experience as we progress our programs into the clinic.”
Dr. Giordano brings more than 15 years of experience leading pharmaceutical research and development organisations. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President and Head of Development, Oncology and Immuno-Oncology for Bristol-Myers Squibb where he was responsible for the development strategy of the enterprise for this therapeutic area, as well as direction for eight teams working on innovative medicines to improve the standard of care for patients, including Opdivo®, Yervoy®, Empliciti™, and Sprycel®. Prior to this role, Dr. Giordano held positions of increasing responsibility within the research and development organisation, leading the development of more than a dozen molecules in the United States, the European Union and Asia. Before joining BMS, he served as Assistant Professor of Medicine and Founding Director of the Cornell Clinical Trials Unit, a National Institutes of Health and Industry supported AIDS clinical trials center at New York Hospital-Cornell University Medical Center. Dr. Giordano holds two other Board positions; FLX Bio Inc and Epizyme, Inc.
Dr Michael Giordano said:
“It is an exciting time for Achilles. The strength of the science and the founding team who are world leading experts in the understanding of cancer evolution, bioinformatics and the development of cell-based immunotherapies, are compelling reasons to join the Achilles Board. I look forward to working with them, alongside the strong management team, as the Company progresses its innovative immunotherapy programmes into the clinic. The patient-specific clonal-neoantigen approaches under development by Achilles have the potential to bring the next wave of revolutionary new immunotherapies to cancer patients.”
Dr Giordano earned his M.D. and completed his residency and fellowship training at The New York Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical and received his B.A. in Natural Sciences cum laude from The Johns Hopkins University.
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Further information:
Achilles Therapeutics
Dr Iraj Ali – Chief Executive Officer
+44 (0)1438 906 906
JW Communications
Julia Wilson
+44 (0)7818 430877
Notes for Editors:
About Achilles Therapeutics
Achilles Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel cancer immunotherapies targeting clonal neoantigens: protein markers unique to each individual that are expressed on the surface of every cancer cell. Achilles uses DNA sequencing data from each patient, together with proprietary bioinformatics technology, to identify clonal neoantigens specific to that patient and enable the development of personalised therapies.
Targeting multiple clonal neoantigens that are present on all cancer cells, but not on healthy cells, reduces the risk that new mutations can induce immune evasion and therapeutic resistance, and allows individualised treatments to target and destroy tumours without harming healthy tissues. Achilles was founded by lead Investor Syncona Ltd and its shareholders include the CRT Pioneer Fund, UCL Technology Fund, Cancer Research Technology, with the support of UCL Business (UCLB) and the Francis Crick Institute. For further information please visit the Company’s website at: www.achillestx.com
About Syncona Ltd
Syncona is a leading FTSE250 healthcare company focused on investing in and building global leaders in life science. Our vision is to deliver transformational treatments to patients in truly innovative areas of healthcare while generating superior returns for shareholders.
We seek to partner with the best, brightest and most ambitious minds in science to build globally competitive businesses.
We take a long-term view, underpinned by a deep pool of capital, and are established leaders in gene and cell therapy. We focus on delivering dramatic efficacy for patients in areas of high unmet need.