OSLO, Norway, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Targovax ASA (OSE:
TRVX), a clinical stage immuno-oncology company developing immune
activators to target hard-to-treat solid tumors, today announces
the appointment of Dr. Erik Digman
Wiklund as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Dr. Wiklund has
intimate knowledge of the company and its technology having served
as Chief Business Officer (CBO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
of Targovax since 2017.
Dr. Erik Digman Wiklund
said: "I am very excited to be entrusted with the
opportunity to lead Targovax into the next stage of development.
The ONCOS-102 program has set us up with a unique, clinically
validated platform system, and I believe we are in a great position
to expand beyond ONCOS-102 to build a pipeline of novel, cutting
edge product candidates. I am especially excited to explore the
potential for utilizing ONCOS as a delivery tool for novel RNA
concepts, where we intend to move into the emerging space of
circular RNA that has recently attracted significant interest from
both industry and investors. In parallel, we continue planning for
the ONCOS-102 platform trial in anti-PD1refractory melanoma, and we
are in active discussions with prospective collaboration partners
who have complementary therapeutics that may act synergistically
with ONCOS-102".
Targovax's current CEO, Øystein Soug, will remain with the
company following the appointment of Dr. Wiklund. Mr. Soug will act
as a special advisor and also serve as interim CFO providing
important strategic and management continuum for the company.
Damian Marron, Chairman of the
Board, commented the transition: "Øystein Soug has
effectively led the company through an important period executing
the phase 1/2 development program of ONCOS-102, and we would like
to place on record our profound thanks for Øystein's leadership and
contribution to Targovax. Øystein's tenure has culminated in a
strong data package for the lead asset ONCOS-102 demonstrating
promising clinical efficacy and powerful immune activation in
several cancer forms and treatment combinations. We believe that
these data confirm the tremendous potential of ONCOS as a versatile
delivery vector for targeted anti-cancer payloads, and we wish to
pursue this opportunity by expanding our pipeline repertoire. With
his deep scientific expertise and intimate knowledge of Targovax
and our technology, Erik is the ideal CEO to capture this
opportunity and lead the company into the future".
The Board of Directors of Targovax has initiated a search
process for a new CFO, a position Øystein Soug will fill in the
interim period. Mr. Soug was the CFO of Targovax in 2015-2016,
before he was appointed CEO, and has previously held the position
as CFO of Algeta ASA.
Øystein Soug commented: "It has been a privilege to lead
Targovax through an exciting and rewarding period. I fully support
the Board's decision to increase the scientific focus and expand
our pipeline to fully exploit the potential in the ONCOS platform,
and I am delighted that Erik has accepted to take over as CEO to
execute this vision. In my view, Erik, with his blend of deep
scientific competence and commercial experience, is the best
candidate to lead Targovax into the future."
CONTACT:
For further information, please contact:
Damian Marron, Chairman of
the Board
Phone: +44 (0)7402 281573
Email: damian.marron@gmail.com
Erik Digman Wiklund, CEO
Phone: +47 413 33 536
Email: erik.wiklund@targovax.com
Oystein Soug, Special Advisor and
interim CFO
Phone: +47 906 56 525
Email: oystein.soug@targovax.com
Renate Birkeli, Investor
Relations
Phone: +47 922 61 624
Email: renate.birkeli@targovax.com
Media enquires:
Andreas Tinglum - Corporate
Communications (Norway)
Phone: +47 9300 1773
Email: andreas.tinglum@corpcom.no
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