NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Voltron Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that it has appointed life science veteran Anthony Zook Executive Chairman of its Board of Directors.
As a global industry leader, Mr. Zook brings years of strategic experience to Voltron Therapeutics and is expected to be instrumental in the further development and eventual commercialization of its Self Assembling Vaccine (SAV) platform, and products such as the Covid-19 vaccine, HaloVax™ and cancer immunotherapy.
Mr. Zook also serves on the Laidlaw Venture Partners’ (“LVP”), the venture capital arm of Laidlaw & Company (UK) Ltd., Investment and Operations Committee. Voltron Therapeutics is an LVP portfolio company.
Mr. Zook brings to Voltron a wealth of commercialization experience in the life science industry, gained primarily through his career at AstraZeneca Plc. Mr. Zook held several executive positions at AstraZeneca, including Executive Vice President of Global Commercial Operations from 2010 to 2013, President and Chief Executive Officer of the North American division from 2007 to 2010 and President of Medimmune, the wholly-owned biologics division of AstraZeneca, from 2008 to 2010. Under Mr. Zook’s leadership, AstraZeneca commercialized ten blockbuster brands, each over $1 billion in sales. Along with the CEO, CFO, and Head of R&D, Mr. Zook sat on the Portfolio Investment Board (PIB), which set and approved the overall strategy for Research and Development and allocated resources by therapeutic area.
Mr. Zook served or continues to serve on several boards, including the boards of AltheRx, Inhibikase, Rib-X Pharmaceuticals, the National Pharmaceutical Council, PhRMA, the Pennsylvania Division of the American Cancer Society and his alma mater, Frostburg State University. Mr. Zook earned a B.S. degree from Frostburg State University and an A.A. degree in chemical engineering from Pennsylvania State University.
“I am delighted to have Tony assume the newly formed role of Executive Chairman of Voltron’s Board of Directors. Tony has been, and remains, incredibly hands on in his approach in helping to manage, de-risk and create value at Voltron. His vast experience working with every important group within a life science company, from manufacturing and R&D, to commercial and portfolio assessment, has already had a meaningful impact on advancing the SAV platform in an expeditious and cost efficient manner,‘ said Pat Gallagher, Chief Executive Officer, Voltron Therapeutics, Inc.
Anthony Zook, Voltron Executive Chairman commented, “I’m excited to take on a more active role in Voltron Therapeutics as its Executive Chairman. The SAV platform has the potential to generate products that can provide tremendous benefits to patients with cancer or at risk of dangerous infectious diseases.”
James Ahern, founding partner of LVP added: “Tony joining the leadership team of Voltron will be critical to the company’s strategic and operational development. This addition also underscores the added value LVP provides to our portfolio companies.”
About Voltron Therapeutics, Inc.
Voltron Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation, was founded in 2017 to lead and accelerate the development of the Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center (VIC), and the Massachusetts General Hospital’s novel Self Assembling Vaccine technology in a variety of indications, including in Oncology and emerging Infectious Diseases. Voltron holds an exclusive worldwide license to this technology. With the work of our world class team of researchers and physicians, this technology has shown in certain pre-clinical studies initial proof of concept in two infectious diseases (Lassa Fever and Q Fever) as well as two oncology indications (Ovarian and HPV Related Cancers). For more information please visit www.voltrontx.com.
About HaloVax™, LLC
HaloVax, LLC is a special purpose subsidiary of Voltron Therapeutics, Inc. in joint venture with Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOTH) The mission of HaloVax is to develop a novel, Self-Assembling Vaccine against COVID-19, utilizing technology licensed by Voltron Therapeutics, Inc. from the Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center at the Massachusetts General Hospital. The vaccine is being designed from a validated platform to provide customized T cell immunity against COVID-19, as well as be able to adapt rapidly to potential genetic drift of the virus. For more information, please visit www.HaloVax.com.
About Hoth Therapeutics, Inc.
Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing new generation therapies for dermatological disorders. Hoth’s pipeline has the potential to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from indications including atopic dermatitis, chronic wounds, psoriasis, asthma and acne. To learn more, please visit www.hoththerapeutics.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to the advancement and development of the VaxCelerate Platform, the commencement of clinical trials, the availability of data from clinical trials and other information that is not historical information. When used herein, words such as “anticipate”, “being”, “will”, “plan”, “may”, “continue”, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements or information that refer to expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, performance or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking. All forward-looking statements are based upon Voltron’s current expectations and various assumptions. Voltron believes there is a reasonable basis for its expectations and beliefs, but they are inherently uncertain. Voltron may not realize its expectations, and its beliefs may not prove correct. Actual results could differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including, without limitation, market conditions and any Voltron filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Consequently, forward-looking statements should be regarded solely as Voltron’s current plans, estimates and beliefs. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Voltron cannot guarantee future results, events, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Voltron does not undertake and specifically declines any obligation to update, republish, or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrences of unanticipated events, except as may be required by law.
Investor Contacts:
Matt Duffy
President
Voltron Therapeutics, Inc.
646-335-5923
mduffy@luciuspartnersllc.com
Jason Assad
Investor Relations
Voltron Therapeutics, Inc.
678-570-6791
jwassad@bellsouth.net