SEATTLE & EXTON, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Immunome, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMNM), a biotechnology company focused on developing first-in-class and best-in-class targeted cancer therapies, today announced the appointment of Bob Lechleider, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Lechleider brings over 20 years of experience as an academic and industry executive in medical oncology and cancer research.
“We are delighted to welcome Bob to our team during an exciting time in Immunome’s growth as we focus on advancing our oncology pipeline into the clinic,” said Dr. Siegall, President and Chief Executive Officer of Immunome. “Bob’s extensive experience in both early and late-stage oncology programs, including the successful initial licensing of Padcev®, an antibody-drug conjugate for the treatment of urothelial cancer, is expected to add significant value to Immunome’s vision of developing first-in-class and best-in-class targeted cancer therapies for patients.”
“I am thrilled to be joining the Immunome team at such an exciting time in the company’s story. I would like to extend my thanks to Dr. Siegall and the entire Immunome team for welcoming me to the company,” said Bob Lechleider, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Immunome. “I look forward to working with the Immunome management and scientific leadership to develop a preeminent clinical organization to advance development of our diverse pipeline of small molecule, antibody drug conjugate and targeted effector candidates, with the ultimate goal of shifting the treatment paradigm for patients with cancer.”
Prior to joining Immunome, Dr. Lechleider was the Chief Medical Officer at OncoResponse, where he oversaw the development of the company’s proprietary oncology pipeline. Before OncoResponse, Dr. Lechleider served as the Senior Vice President of clinical development for Seagen, where he was responsible for directing the development of the early and late-stage portfolios, including the successful initial licensing of Padcev® for the treatment of previously treated metastatic urothelial cancer.
Dr. Lechleider began his biotech career at MedImmune (an Astra Zeneca company) and went on to positions of increasing responsibility at Human Genome Sciences and Macrogenics before heading development at Seagen. Prior to his career in biotech, Dr. Lechleider held academic positions where he studied basic cellular and molecular biology.
Dr. Lechleider earned his A.B. from Princeton University and his M.D. from the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago before receiving his clinical residency in internal medicine at Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, and later in medical oncology at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Bethesda.
About Immunome, Inc.
Immunome is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing first-in-class and best-in-class targeted cancer therapies. Our portfolio pursues each target with a modality appropriate to its biology, including immunotherapies, targeted effectors, radioligand therapies and ADCs. We believe that pursuing underexplored targets with appropriate drug modalities leads to transformative therapies. Our proprietary memory B cell hybridoma technology allows for the rapid screening and functional characterization of novel antibodies and targets.
For more information, visit www.immunome.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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Certain statements contained in this communication regarding matters that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”). These include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Immunome’s intent to advance its current pipeline into the clinic, to develop first-in-class and best-in-class targeted cancer therapies for patients ; and other statements regarding management’s intentions, plans, beliefs, expectations or forecasts for the future. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Immunome undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. We use words such as “expect,” “look forward to,” “goal,” and other similar expressions to identify these forward-looking statements that are intended to be covered by the safe-harbor provisions of the PSLRA. Such forward-looking statements are based on our expectations and involve risks and uncertainties; consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the ability of Immunome to grow and successfully execute on its business plan, including advancing its current pipeline into the clinic and expanding its pipeline through its technology platform, proprietary toolbox as and when anticipated, and through strategic transactions, if any; changes in the applicable laws or regulations; the possibility that Immunome may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; the risk that regulatory approvals for Immunome’s programs and product candidates are not obtained, are delayed or are subject to unanticipated conditions that could adversely affect it; Immunome’s ability to manage clinical trials or studies; the risk that pre-clinical data may not be predictive of clinical data; the complexity of numerous regulatory and legal requirements that Immunome needs to comply with to operate its business; the reliance on Immunome’s management and the fact that the prior experience and successes of the Immunome’s management team are not indicative of any future success for Immunome; uncertainties related to Immunome’s capital requirements and Immunome’s expected cash runway; the failure to obtain, adequately protect, maintain or enforce Immunome’s intellectual property rights; and other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time described in Immunome’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and in Immunome’s other filings with the SEC. Immunome cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive and not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date made. Moreover, Immunome operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. Except as required by law, Immunome does not undertake any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this press release to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in their expectations.