LA JOLLA, CALIF (September 27, 2022)
— Calidi
Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Calidi), a clinical-stage biotechnology
company that is pioneering allogeneic cell-based
platforms to revolutionize oncolytic virus therapies, today
announced the appointment of David Sans, FAARM, Ph.D, MBA, in New York as
Head of Corporate Development. In this newly created role, Dr. Sans will
lead Calidi’s corporate development function and support activities
with strategic partners, including identification, assessment and execution
of potential mergers, acquisitions, investments, licensing agreements, and
joint ventures.
“We are thrilled to welcome David to the Calidi team as we
continue to broaden our bench of executive talents,” said Allan
Camaisa, chief executive officer of Calidi. “David is a highly
respected leader in the life sciences industry who brings more than two
decades of corporate development and banking experience and a diverse
skillset to this important role. His track record of driving tangible
results will be invaluable in realizing the full potential of our cell-based
delivery platforms. I am confident David will make significant contributions
to our ongoing success as we continue to execute our growth strategy and
create shareholder value.”
Dr. Sans is an accomplished corporate development executive with
robust scientific and medical expertise, having most recently served as Head
of Healthcare Investment Banking at ThinkEquity, where he provided a full
range of investment banking advisory services and completed over 100
transactions with an aggregate value of over $10 billion. Prior to
ThinkEquity, he founded the AI Pathology platform at Mount Sinai Hospital,
where he built a corporate function dedicated to co-founding companies with
external inventors, providing crossover investment capital and expertise to
originate early-stage ventures in the life sciences field through IPO.
Previously, Dr. Sans held corporate development roles at Exact Sciences and
ImClone Systems. He began his career working for large pharmaceutical
companies, serving as Head of Market Analytics at Pfizer, Inc., supporting
the commercial launch of Rebif® and Macugen® and
Lead Sr. Scientist at Novartis AG, supporting the launch of Glibec®.
“I am excited to join such an innovative company and
management team at a critical time,” said Dr. Sans. “Calidi is
executing a plan that has positioned it well for the future and has laid the
foundation to generate valuable opportunities through its cutting-edge
technology in oncolytic cell therapies. I look forward to working alongside
the Calidi team to continue the company’s growth trajectory and
cultivate a strong sense of collaboration across teams while delivering
significant value to our stakeholders.”
David holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Universtiat Ramon
Llul in collaboration with the ETH in Zürich, and an MBA in Business
Law from Fordham University. He also holds a Mount Sinai Board Certification
in Cell Therapies and a Fellowship in Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine
(FAARM).
About Calidi Biotherapeutics
Calidi Biotherapeutics is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company
with proprietary technology that is revolutionizing the effective delivery
and potentiation of oncolytic viruses for targeted therapy against
difficult-to-treat cancers. Calidi Biotherapeutics is advancing a potent
allogeneic stem cell and oncolytic virus combination for use in multiple
oncology indications. Calidi’s off-the-shelf, universal cell-based
delivery platforms are designed to protect, amplify, and potentiate
oncolytic viruses currently in development leading to enhanced efficacy and
improved patient safety. Calidi Biotherapeutics is headquartered in La
Jolla, California. For more information, please visit www.calidibio.com.
Contacts:
For Investors:
Stephen Jasper
stephen@gilmartinir.com