Context Therapeutics Appoints Dr. Karen Smith and Dr. Luke Walker to Board of Directors
04 September 2024 - 9:30PM
Context Therapeutics Inc. (“Context” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq:
CNTX), a biopharmaceutical company advancing medicines for solid
tumors, today announced the appointments of Karen Smith, MD,
PhD, MBA, LLM and Luke Walker, MD, to its Board of Directors.
“Karen and Luke’s vast experience and proven leadership in the
biopharmaceutical industry are tremendous assets for Context at
this pivotal stage of our growth," said Martin Lehr, CEO of Context
Therapeutics. “Karen’s extensive oncology drug development,
regulatory, and strategy experience will be invaluable as Context
continues to advance its pipeline. Luke brings an extensive track
record in oncology drug development, including recent experience
developing T cell engaging bispecific antibodies.”
Mr. Lehr continued, “These additions supplement our ongoing
effort to build Context into a leading oncology company and advance
potential best-in-class T cell engaging bispecifics.”
Dr. Karen Smith is a biopharmaceutical thought
leader with over 20 years of experience bringing drugs into the
clinic and through commercialization. She has been a key
contributor to the successful development of multiple approved
products in several therapeutic areas, including oncology
(Herceptin, Vyxeos), rare disease (Defitelio), cardiology
(Irbesartan), dermatology (Voluma, Botox), neuroscience (Abilify)
and anti-infectives (Teflaro). Previously, she was Global Head of
Research & Development and Chief Medical Officer of Jazz
Pharmaceuticals. Earlier in her career, Dr. Smith held senior
leadership roles at Allergan, AstraZeneca, and Bristol Myers
Squibb. Previously, Dr. Smith served on the Board of Directors of
Antares Pharma (acquired by Halozyme for $960 million), Acceleron
Pharma (acquired by Merck for $11.5 billion), Mariana Oncology
(acquired by Novartis for $1 billion upfront), and Sucampo
Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Mallinckrodt for $1.2 billion). Dr.
Smith currently serves on the Board of Directors of Aurinia
Pharmaceuticals, Capstan Therapeutics, Sangamo Therapeutics, and
Skye Bioscience.
Dr. Luke Walker has more than 20 years of
clinical development experience as both an executive and board
member. Most recently, he was the Chief Medical Officer of Harpoon
Therapeutics, an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company where
he was responsible for oversight of all aspects of clinical
development programs using Harpoon’s TriTAC T-cell engager
platform, which was acquired by Merck in 2024 for $680 million.
Previously, Dr. Walker was Vice President of Clinical Development
at Seagen, where he was the global development lead for Tukysa
(tucatinib) through the program’s successful completion of a
pivotal registrational trial and successful regulatory approvals.
Earlier, Dr. Walker was Senior Vice President of Clinical
Development at Cascadian Therapeutics, which was acquired by Seagen
in 2018 for $614 million. Dr. Walker began his career as a
practicing medical oncologist and hematologist at Providence
Regional Medical Center and with the Everett Clinic. Dr. Walker
currently serves on the Board of Directors of Zentalis
Pharmaceuticals.
About Context Therapeutics®Context Therapeutics
Inc. (Nasdaq: CNTX) is a biopharmaceutical company advancing
medicines for solid tumors. The Company is building an innovative
portfolio of clinical-stage T cell engaging bispecific
therapeutics, including CTIM-76, a Claudin 6 (CLDN6) x CD3
bispecific antibody, and CT-95, a Mesothelin (MSLN) x CD3
bispecific antibody. Context is headquartered in Philadelphia. For
more information, please
visit www.contexttherapeutics.com or follow the Company
on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn.
Forward-looking StatementsThis press release
contains “forward-looking statements” that involve substantial
risks and uncertainties for purposes of the safe harbor provided by
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any
statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in
this press release regarding strategy, future operations,
prospects, plans and objectives of management, including words such
as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “look forward,” “plan,”
“intend,” and similar expressions (as well as other words or
expressions referencing future events, conditions, or
circumstances) are forward-looking statements. These include,
without limitation, statements regarding (i) the ability of the new
appointments to support the Company and the advancement of its
product candidates; (ii) the ability of the Company to become a
leading oncology company; (iii) the potential benefits,
characteristics, safety and side effect profile of our product
candidates, (iv) the ability of our product candidates to have
benefits, characteristics, manufacturability, and a side effect
profile that is differentiated and/or better than third party
product candidates, (v) the likelihood data will support future
development of our product candidates, and (vi) the likelihood of
obtaining regulatory approval for our product candidates.
Forward-looking statements in this release involve substantial
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking
statements, and we therefore cannot assure you that our plans,
intentions, expectations, or strategies will be attained or
achieved. Other factors that may cause actual results to differ
from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements
in this press release are discussed in our filings with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the
section titled “Risk Factors” contained therein. Except as
otherwise required by law, we disclaim any intention or obligation
to update or revise any forward-looking statements, which speak
only as of the date they were made, whether as a result of new
information, future events, or circumstances or otherwise.
Investor Relations Contact:Jennifer
Minai-AzaryContext TherapeuticsIR@contexttherapeutics.com
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