CEO Ivor Elrifi
NEW YORK, Aug. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tiziana Life Sciences, Ltd. (Nasdaq: TLSA) (“Tiziana” or the “Company”), a biotechnology company developing breakthrough immunomodulation therapies with its lead development candidate, intranasal foralumab, a fully human anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, today announced the appointment of Ivor Elrifi as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately.
“We are delighted to welcome Ivor Elrifi as the new CEO of Tiziana Life Sciences,” said Gabriele Cerrone, Founder and Chairman of the Board. “Ivor has an invaluable track record of creating significant value for biotech and pharmaceutical companies with his strategic vision in building intellectual property portfolios and transforming the IP into transformative business development deals and M&A transactions. Tiziana looks forward to creating further value with Ivor as we progress with our human clinical trials.”
Tiziana Life Sciences is currently focused on advancing intranasal foralumab through clinical trials for non-active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (na-SPMS), Alzheimer’s disease and ALS. Under Ivor’s leadership, the company aims to accelerate these programs and capitalize on opportunities to address significant unmet medical needs.
Ivor has been Global Head of the Patent Group at Cooley since 2014 and prior to that was Global Head of the Patent Department at Mintz Levin from 1999 to 2014. He has advised companies in a variety of key industries including pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, life sciences and medical device companies, research institutions, universities, hospitals and governments around the world, particularly in the US and Europe. Ivor has assisted clients with the development and implementation of intellectual property strategies and with patent prosecution, licensing and enforcement. He has extensive experience advising clients on strategic transaction work and regularly advises clients on investments, business development and mergers and acquisitions, including acquisition transactions with Novartis, Eli Lilly, Biogen and Astellas.
He has received various awards throughout his career, including being named an LMG Life Sciences: Life Science Star and a national ranking by Chambers USA since 2007. Elrifi earned his BS and Ph.D. in Biology from Queen’s University and his JD from Osgoode Hall Law School.
“I am honored to lead Tiziana Life Sciences at this pivotal stage in its growth curve,” said Ivor Elrifi. “The company’s commitment to developing breakthrough therapies is very promising and I look forward to working with the talented team to advance our clinical programs and create value for patients and shareholders.”
Mr. Elrifi succeeds Gabriele Cerrone, who previously served as Acting CEO. He will remain in his role as Executive Chairman and will continue to play a key role in advancing Tiziana’s scientific agenda.
About Foralumab
Foralumab, a fully human anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, is a biologic drug candidate that has been shown to stimulate regulatory T cells when administered intranasally. Currently, 10 patients with non-active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (na-SPMS) have been treated in an open-label, medium-sized Expanded Access (EA) program, with all patients experiencing either improvement or stabilization of disease within 6 months. The FDA recently approved the enrollment of an additional 20 patients in this EA program. In addition, intranasal foralumab is currently being evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, Phase 2a dose-ranging study in patients with non-active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (NCT06292923).
Activated T cells play an important role in the inflammatory process. Foralumab, the only fully human anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb), binds to the T cell receptor and attenuates inflammation by modulating T cell function, thereby suppressing effector functions in multiple immune cell subtypes. This effect has been demonstrated in patients with COVID and multiple sclerosis, as well as in healthy normal subjects. SPMS’ non-active Phase 2 study of intranasal foralumab (NCT06292923) began enrolling patients in November 2023. Immunomodulation by nasal anti-CD3 mAb represents a novel approach to treating human neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.(1),(2)
About Tiziana Life Sciences
Tiziana Life Sciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing breakthrough therapies that utilize groundbreaking drug delivery technologies to enable alternative routes of immunotherapy. Tiziana’s innovative nasal approach has the potential to offer improved efficacy as well as safety and tolerability compared to intravenous (IV) administration. Tiziana’s lead candidate, intranasal foralumab, the only fully human anti-CD3 mAb, has demonstrated a favorable safety profile and positive clinical response in patients in studies to date. Tiziana’s technology for alternative routes of immunotherapy has been patented, has multiple applications pending, and is expected to enable broad pipeline application.
For more information about Tiziana Life Sciences and its innovative therapeutic pipeline, visit www.tizianalifesciences.com.
For further inquiries:
Tiziana Life Sciences GmbH
Paul Spencer, Business Development and Investor Relations
+44 (0) 207 495 2379
Email: [email protected]
Investors:
Irina Koffler
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
646.970.4681
Email: [email protected]
(1) https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2220272120
(2) https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2309221120
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0208ae67-37fe-44e0-8301-45b4cbf6edda
