Nexcella Appoints Henry McKinnell, Jr., former Chairman & CEO of Pfizer Inc., to Board of Directors


  • Dr. McKinnell joins the Nexcella, Inc. Board of Directors with 35 years of experience at Pfizer, Inc., including 6 years as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
  • Dr. McKinnell is a former independent director of ChemoCentryx, acquired by Amgen for $3.7 billion in 2022 and former Chairman/CEO of Optimer Pharmaceuticals, acquired by Cubist (now Merck & Co.) for $535 million in 2013

LOS ANGELES, June 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nexcella, Inc. (“Nexcella”, “Company”, “We” or “Us”), today announced that effective today, Henry A. McKinnell, Jr, Ph.D., former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pfizer Inc., has been appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors. Dr. McKinnell brings significant leadership to Nexcella: developing, launching and commercializing drug candidates; building world-class operations; and forming international alliances.

After joining Pfizer, Inc. in 1971, Dr. McKinnell held positions of increasing responsibility around the world including Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 2001 until his retirement in 2006.  In addition to his experience at Pfizer, Dr. McKinnell has served as an independent director of ChemoCentryx, acquired by Amgen for $3.7 billion in 2022; former Chairman/CEO of Optimer Pharmaceuticals, acquired by Cubist Pharmaceuticals (now Merck & Co.) for $535 million in 2013; independent director of ExxonMobil from 2002 to 2007; and independent director of Agiliti from 2017-2019. Most recently, Dr. McKinnell was the independent Chairman of Moody’s Corporation from 2012 to 2021.

“We are honored to have Dr. McKinnell join the Nexcella Board of Directors. He has an unparalleled track record as a pharmaceutical executive and strategic leader, with extensive experience building pre-eminent, world-class organizations,” said Ilya Rachman, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Chairman of Nexcella.  Gabriel Morris, President of Nexcella, added, “Dr. McKinnell’s experience will be invaluable as we progress NXC-201 through clinical development in AL amyloidosis and multiple myeloma. Dr. McKinnell’s leadership and skills in our industry, as well as his contributions to other areas of human welfare, are internationally recognized. We look forward to benefiting from his valuable insights.”

Dr. McKinnell commented, “My interest and commitment to the translation of scientific discoveries to the bedside so patients can benefit makes joining the Nexcella Board an honor and hopefully the beginning of a journey which will benefit seriously ill patients around the world.”

Dr. McKinnell is the Chairman Emeritus of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). He also served as a Senior Advisor to Toyota Motor Corporation's International Advisory Board and the Thomas H. Lee Private Equity Partnership. Dr. McKinnell holds a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of British Columbia and an M.B.A. and Ph.D. from Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

About Nexcella, Inc.

Nexcella, Inc. is a Los Angeles, CA based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of novel cell therapies for oncology and other indications. Our lead candidate, next generation BCMA-targeted CAR-T NXC-201 for multiple myeloma and AL amyloidosis has produced 92% and 100% response rates in each indication, respectively, as of February 9, 2023 across 58 patients. We believe NXC-201 has potential to be the world’s first outpatient CAR-T. Our N-GENIUS platform allows us to discover, develop, and manufacture cutting-edge cell therapies for patients in need. To learn more about Nexcella, Inc. visit us at www.nexcella.com.

Forward Looking Statements

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Contacts
Stern Investor Relations
Suzanne Messere
Managing Director
Suzanne.Messere@sternir.com

Company Contact
irteam@nexcella.com