BRISBANE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Harpoon Therapeutics, Inc., a preclinical stage biotechnology company founded by MPM Capital that is developing novel T-cell recruiting antibody therapies for treating cancer patients, today announced the appointment of Gerald (Jerry) McMahon, Ph.D., as President and CEO. Dr. McMahon succeeds Harpoon’s interim CEO and co-founder Patrick A. Baeuerle, Ph.D. Dr. Baeuerle, an MPM Managing Director, will continue to serve on the company’s board of directors.
Dr. McMahon brings more than 25 years of exceptional biotechnology leadership, scientific innovation and creative deal-making experience to his new role. With broad disease-area expertise and a specialty in oncology therapeutics, he has held industry-influencing scientific, pharmaceutical and venture capital positions, has been the CEO of multiple drug development companies and has discovered, developed, and licensed novel therapeutics leading to value-creating portfolios including drug approvals.
“We’re honored that Jerry is joining Harpoon as President and CEO. He is a visionary and hands-on leader with a broad range of strategic expertise in private and public biotechnology companies,” said MPM co-founder and Managing Director Luke Evnin, who also co-founded Harpoon and chairs its board of directors. “His proven experience with a focus on oncology and immuno-oncology therapeutics will enable Harpoon’s growth as we advance the development of our novel T-cell recruiting cancer treatments for patients in need.”
Most recently, Dr. McMahon was President and CEO of Kolltan Pharmaceuticals and led its acquisition by Celldex to advance the Kolltan biologics portfolio in oncology and immuno-oncology. Prior to this role, he held positions at MedImmune, the biologics arm of AstraZeneca, where he was Senior Vice President of R&D Oncology, and at Bay City Capital, where he was a Venture Partner. Dr. McMahon was also head of two oncology development companies, Poniard Pharmaceuticals, where he was chairman and CEO, and NeoRx, where was CEO and President. He also served as President of SUGEN, ultimately acquired by Pfizer, where he was a key player in the successful discovery, development and regulatory approvals of innovative oncology drugs, including Sutent® and Palladia®. Previously, Dr. McMahon was also Director at Sandoz, serving in various R&D roles prior to the company’s merger with Ciba-Geigy to form Novartis.
Dr. McMahon holds an academic appointment at the Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center at Yale University, and held previous appointments at Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Hematology & Oncology at the New England Medical Center, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is the author of more than 100 publications and holds 67 issued U.S. patents. He received his B.S. in Biology and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
About Harpoon Therapeutics — Harpoon is a preclinical stage biotechnology company founded by MPM Capital that is developing two novel classes of T-cell recruiting therapies for cancer patients.
About MPM Capital — MPM Capital (http://www.mpmcapital.com) is an early-stage life sciences venture firm founding and investing in companies that seek to cure major diseases by translating scientific innovations into positive clinical outcomes. MPM’s portfolio of companies aims to revolutionize the face of medicine across multiple areas including cancer, diabetes, obesity, pain, eHealth and more. With its experienced and dedicated team of operating executives and medical and scientific advisory board, MPM is powering novel medical breakthroughs that transform patient lives. MPM invested in Harpoon from its two funds ─ the BV2014 and UBS Oncology Impact Funds.
