SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATRA), a leading off-the-shelf, allogeneic T-cell immunotherapy company developing novel treatments for patients with cancer, autoimmune and viral diseases, today announced the appointment of biotech and finance industry veteran Ron Renaud as a director and non-executive chair of the board of directors.
“We are honored to have Ron Renaud lead our board of directors as we advance our pipeline programs across various stages of development and deliver on key corporate milestones,” said Pascal Touchon, president and chief executive officer of Atara Biotherapeutics. “The board and I are enthusiastic about Ron’s extensive experience, from both the Wall Street and corporate side, in strategic and corporate development, partnering, financing, board and executive leadership, as well as his strong industry relationships.”
Ron has served as Translate Bio’s chief executive officer since 2014. Formerly, Ron was at Idenix Pharmaceuticals, an innovative company in the field of viral human diseases where he served as chief financial officer, chief business officer and finally, president and chief executive officer. Under his leadership, Idenix refocused its drug-discovery and development efforts and streamlined operations prior to the Merck acquisition for approximately $3.85 billion in August 2014. Prior to joining Idenix, Ron served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Keryx Biopharmaceuticals. Before joining Keryx, Ron was a biotechnology equity research analyst at J.P. Morgan, Schwab Soundview and Bear Stearns. He also spent more than five years at Amgen, where he held positions in clinical research, investor relations and finance. He serves on the board of directors of Translate Bio, Ikena Oncology and Axial Biotherapeutics.
“I am very impressed with Atara’s pipeline, technologies and manufacturing platform, and by the quality of the leadership team,” said Ron Renaud. “It is an honor to join such an experienced board and I look forward to helping Atara create significant value for patients and our stockholders.”
About Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc.
Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. (@Atarabio) is a leading off-the-shelf, allogeneic T-cell immunotherapy company developing novel treatments for patients with cancer, autoimmune and viral diseases. Atara’s technology platform leverages research collaborations with leading academic institutions with the Company’s scientific, clinical, regulatory and manufacturing expertise. Atara’s pipeline includes tab-cel® (tabelecleucel), which is in Phase 3 development for patients with Epstein-Barr virus-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (EBV+ PTLD) as well as in earlier stage development for other EBV-associated hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC); T-cell immunotherapies targeting EBV antigens believed to be important for the potential treatment of multiple sclerosis; and next-generation chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T) immunotherapies. The company was founded in 2012 and is co-located in South San Francisco and Southern California. Our Southern California hub is anchored by its manufacturing facility in Thousand Oaks, California. For additional information about the company, please visit atarabio.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains or may imply "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. For example, forward-looking statements include statements regarding: Atara’s pipeline, technology and platform and Atara’s ability to create value for patients and its stockholders. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on Atara Biotherapeutics' current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties and actual results, performance or achievements of Atara Biotherapeutics could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in Atara Biotherapeutics' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of the company’s most recently filed periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and subsequent filings and in the documents incorporated by reference therein. Except as otherwise required by law, Atara Biotherapeutics disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.
