Candel Therapeutics Appoints Chris Matheny, PharmD, Ph.D., as Vice President, Development Leader

NEEDHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Candel Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, developing novel immune-based cancer therapeutics, today announced the appointment of Chris Matheny, PharmD, Ph.D., as vice president, development leader. Dr. Matheny will work closely with other members of the leadership team to continue efforts in building a clinical development organization that will deliver differentiated medicines with the potential to save, extend and improve the lives of cancer patients.

“It is a distinct pleasure to have a highly strategic and accomplished drug developer like Chris join the Candel team. His passion for advancing therapeutics for oncology patients aligns perfectly with our steadfast goal of delivering effective oncolytic viral immunotherapies designed to improve survival, while also maintaining quality of life,” said Paul Peter Tak, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Candel Therapeutics. “Chris’s ongoing vision for the oncology space is truly inspiring, and through his leadership and collaboration abilities, we are confident that he will ensure our mission and embolden our team to continue discovering and thinking in new, innovative ways.”

Dr. Matheny brings years of experience as a clinical drug developer with a proven track record leading high-performing global asset teams. Prior to joining Candel, he worked for nearly two decades at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in a range of capacities including development leader for multiple programs spanning oncology and immuno-inflammation, as well as leadership roles in translational medicine and clinical pharmacology. In his most recent role, he served as asset development leader on four separate immuno-oncology programs, functioning as the single point of accountability for the overall asset strategy, development, and deliverables. Additionally, he served as the co-chair and founding member of the Early Development Leader Community as part of the Enterprise Leadership Group at GSK. Dr. Matheny received his PharmD and Ph.D. degrees from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and completed his Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Kentucky Hospitals.

“The breakthroughs that Candel has made with its oncolytic viral immunotherapies represent a vast potential to change disease outcomes across a variety of indications,” said Dr. Matheny. “I look forward to bringing my knowledge of the space and vision to an already expert team as we now work together to fight diseases that currently affect many patients.”

About Candel Therapeutics

Candel Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company advancing a late-stage pipeline of oncolytic viral immunotherapies designed to induce immunogenic cell death in cancer cells at the site of injection, unmasking tumor neo-antigens within an activated microenvironment, and leading to a systemic, durable immune response against the tumor and its distant metastases. The company’s viral platforms have been genetically engineered to minimize the impact on healthy tissue, while maximizing the patient’s immune response to fight the tumor. To learn more, visit www.candeltx.com.