SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Batu Biologics, an immuno-oncology company dedicated to the development of its tumor-angiogenesis targeting immune therapy, ValloVax™, announced today the appointment of Thomas Ichim, PhD, to the position of Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Ichim was instrumental in the founding of Batu Biologics as well as the development of the ValloVax platform, and will be taking on a larger role in the scientific advancement of the company’s therapeutic pipeline.
“Given Dr. Ichim’s role as one of the original founders of the company and as one of the principal drivers for the scientific direction of Batu Biologics, he is naturally an excellent fit for this position. We are proud to work alongside his visionary approach to the development of cancer therapeutics and believe his increased involvement will substantially increase shareholder value as we near US clinical trials for the ValloVax platform,” commented Samuel C. Wagner, President and CEO of Batu Biologics.
Dr. Thomas Ichim has extensive experience with cell therapy product development through FDA pathways and is an immunologist by training. He has had several successful ventures including the cofounding of bioRASI, a full service clinical research organization. Subsequent to the launch of bioRASI, Dr. Ichim led the development of an angiogenesis-inducing cellular therapy at Medistem Inc. as Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Executive Officer. His work at Medistem was instrumental in the company’s acquisition by Intrexon in early 2014 for $26 Million. After the success of Medistem, he cofounded Batu Biologics with the goal of developing therapeutics that target the blood vessels of solid tumors. Dr. Ichim has 98 peer reviewed publications and over 50 patents and patent applications in the area of immunology and cellular medicine.
“Under Samuel Wagner’s leadership the company has grown from what originally was a concept on the back of a napkin to a full-fledged organization with leading scientists and businesspeople in management and on the board, with over 20 patents and patent applications, a product manufactured under GMP, and what we believe is now a solid case for FDA clearance,” said Thomas Ichim, PhD. “It is my honor to work full-time along my friends and colleagues to advance these technologies from bench to bedside.”
About Batu Biologics
Batu Biologics is an immuno-oncology company developing novel gene and cellular based therapies for the treatment of cancer. The Company has filed an IND application for its lead therapeutic, ValloVax™, a multivalent therapeutic vaccine for Non Small Cell Lung Cancer targeting several tumor-angiogenesis associated antigens. ValloVax™ has demonstrated strong inhibition of tumor growth in several histologically distinct tumor models, and the company is currently raising funds that will enable the completion of a Phase I clinical study. The company maintains research facilities at JLABS, located in the Torrey Pines-area biotech cluster of San Diego.
