Galera Appoints Eugene P. Kennedy, M.D., F.A.C.S., as Chief Medical Officer

On September 1, 2022 Galera Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: GRTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing a pipeline of novel, proprietary therapeutics that have the potential to transform radiotherapy in cancer, reported the appointment of Eugene P. Kennedy, M.D., F.A.C.S., as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) (Press release, Galera Therapeutics, SEP 1, 2022, View Source [SID1234618868]). Dr. Kennedy is a renowned Johns Hopkins-trained surgical oncologist and former Chief of Pancreatic and Hepatobiliary Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University with over 15 years’ experience in clinical development and biopharma leadership. He will succeed Jon T. Holmlund, M.D., who will retire at the end of this year. In the interim, Dr. Kennedy and Dr. Holmlund will work together closely to ensure a smooth and successful transition, with particular focus on the preparation for the Company’s submission of an NDA to the U.S. FDA for avasopasem by the end of 2022.

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"We are thrilled to welcome Gene to Galera and are immeasurably grateful to Jon for his invaluable leadership and service over the last 10 years," said Mel Sorensen, M.D., Galera’s President and CEO. "We believe Gene’s extensive clinical trial development, regulatory strategy and oncological medical experience will be instrumental in supporting our team’s plan to finalize our NDA submission package for avasopasem by year-end. In addition, as we continue advancing our anti-cancer programs in the clinic, Gene’s proven leadership managing various aspects of a biopharma business and his oncology expertise, including in pancreatic cancer, will help Galera build upon and execute our long-term clinical strategy."

"I am honored to join Galera during this pivotal time in the Company’s history, and I look forward to working with, and gaining insight from, Jon in the coming months," said Eugene P. Kennedy, M.D., F.A.C.S., Galera’s Chief Medical Officer. "I am also eager to collaborate with the entire Galera management team to drive forward our ongoing anti-cancer clinical trials, aim to commercialize avasopasem and lead innovation in the field of radiotherapy treatment for patients with cancer."

Before joining Galera, Dr. Kennedy served as Chief Medical Officer at Innovative Cellular Therapeutics, where he was an integral part of developing the Phase 1 clinical protocol and filing a first-in-human IND for a solid tumor CAR T-cell therapy. Previously, he served as Chief Medical Officer at Lumos Pharma, where he was responsible for clinical development strategy and execution, as well as investor and patient outreach. Prior to Lumos, Dr. Kennedy served as Chief Medical Officer at NewLink Genetics, where he oversaw clinical trials across multiple product candidates and indications. Prior to joining NewLink Genetics, he served as Associate Professor of Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University and held leadership positions as Chief of the Section of Pancreatic and Hepatobiliary Surgery and Co-Director of the Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary, and Related Cancers Center. Dr. Kennedy also has practiced, taught, and held leadership roles at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and Louisiana State University and has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Kennedy received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and an M.D. from the Medical College of Virginia.