I-Mab Announces Board Appointments and Expansion of R&D Committee and Scientific Advisory Board.

I-Mab announces new board members and changes, including the appointment of Dr. Robert Lenz, Dr. Sean Cao, and Ms. Xin Liu. Dr. Lenz is a veteran R&D leader with experience at Amgen and Neumora, while Ms. Liu is a finance executive with experience at Hony Capital and Fosun Group. Dr. Cao is a biotech executive and entrepreneur with experience at I-Mab, Simcere Pharmaceutical Group, and Sanofi. The company also reiterates Dr. Sean Cao's appointment and announces the formation of a Research and Development Committee of the Board of Directors.

I-Mab (NASDAQ:IMAB), a U.S.-based global biotech company focused on the development of precision immuno-oncology agents, has announced significant leadership enhancements. The company appointed three new independent directors to its Board: Dr. Robert Lenz, a veteran R&D leader from Neumora Therapeutics; Ms. Xin Liu, an Investment Director at Hony Capital; and Dr. Sean Cao, an Operating Partner at CBC Group. Additionally, the company reiterated Dr. Sean Cao's appointment and announced the formation of a Research and Development Committee of the Board of Directors [1].

Dr. Robert Lenz, who previously served as the Executive Vice President and Head of Research and Development at Neumora Therapeutics, brings extensive experience in R&D leadership. Before joining Neumora, Dr. Lenz held key leadership roles at Amgen Inc., including Senior Vice President, Head of Global Development. His career spans over a decade in the pharmaceutical industry, overseeing the development of multiple medicines through regulatory approval [1].

Ms. Xin Liu, currently serving as Investment Director at Hony Capital, brings a strong background in finance and governance. Prior to her current role, she held positions at CCBPE and the Fosun Group, where she served as Vice President of Investment and Investment Manager, respectively. Her educational background includes a Master of Engineering from Harrisburg University and a Master of Finance from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology [1].

Dr. Sean Cao, an accomplished biotech executive and entrepreneur, has held senior roles at I-Mab, Simcere Pharmaceutical Group, Sanofi, and Johnson & Johnson. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of ABio-X Holdings and previously founded and led multiple biotech companies, including Ensem Therapeutics, Inc., Everest Medicines, and NiKang Therapeutics, Inc. [1].

The company also announced the appointment of Dr. Ken Takeshita to its Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Takeshita, the Global Head of Research & Development at Daiichi Sankyo, brings extensive experience in biopharmaceuticals and clinical development. His previous roles include senior R&D and global clinical leadership positions at Kite Pharma, Sorrento Therapeutics, and Celgene Corporation [1].

The formation of the Research and Development Committee, chaired by Dr. Robert Lenz and with Dr. Sean Cao and Dr. Sean Fu, Chief Executive Officer of I-Mab, as members, aims to accelerate innovation and long-term growth. This new committee will ensure that I-Mab's strategic agenda is guided by rigorous scientific insight and strategic foresight [1].

These appointments and the formation of the R&D Committee strengthen I-Mab's leadership as it advances its givastomig program and focuses on R&D excellence. Givastomig, a potential best-in-class, bispecific antibody designed to treat Claudin 18.2-positive gastric cancers, is currently in Phase 1 trials, showing strong tumor-binding and anti-tumor activity while minimizing toxicities [1].

References:
[1] https://www.morningstar.com/news/globe-newswire/9516871/i-mab-announces-the-appointment-of-seasoned-biotech-executives-to-the-board-of-directors-and-the-scientific-advisory-board-and-the-formation-of-a-research-and-development-committee