- Experienced leadership contributes to key performance indicators.
- Dr. Eric Poma brings more than 30 years of experience to his new role as CLDI CEO.
- His expertise will help the company develop and advance proprietary groundbreaking therapies.
Effective leadership is a cornerstone of organizational success, particularly in the dynamic and high-stakes realm of biotechnology. Recognizing the pivotal role of seasoned leadership, Calidi Biotherapeutics (NYSE American: CLDI) has announced the appointment of Eric Poma, PhD, as its new Chief Executive Officer and member of the board of directors (https://ibn.fm/qMEu4). This strategic transition underscores Calidi’s commitment to advancing its innovative cancer therapies under experienced guidance. Dr. Poma succeeds Allan Camaisa, who will continue to serve as a board member.
The significance of experienced leadership is well-documented. Research indicates that companies with strong leadership are 2.3 times more likely to outperform their competitors financially (https://ibn.fm/JtCzz). Moreover, companies that appoint new CEOs often experience a notable improvement in performance metrics, such as the Z-Score, reflecting enhanced strategic direction and reduced insolvency risk (https://ibn.fm/g1fpy). These findings highlight the tangible benefits that seasoned leaders bring to organizational performance and stability.
Dr. Poma brings more than three decades of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, with a robust track record in oncology-focused leadership. Prior to joining Calidi, he served as CEO of Molecular Templates (NASDAQ: MTEM), where he successfully raised more than $250 million in equity financing and secured more than $150 million through strategic partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies, including Takeda, Vertex and Bristol Myers Squibb. His tenure at Molecular Templates was marked by significant advancements in clinical program development and strategic collaborations.
In addition to his role at Molecular Templates, Dr. Poma has held senior positions at Innovive Pharmaceuticals and ImClone Systems Inc., primarily focusing on business development. His early career as a healthcare and biotechnology analyst with Eagle Advisors provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the financial and strategic aspects of the biotech industry. This diverse background equips Dr. Poma with a unique perspective on both the scientific and commercial facets of biopharmaceutical development.
“I am thrilled to be joining Calidi at this exciting time, as the company progresses RTNova, its systemic, enveloped virotherapy platform with transient gene therapy payload delivery to the clinic with CLD-400 and continues to advance its CLD-101 and CLD-201 programs clinically,” said Dr. Poma. “I appreciate the solid foundation Allan Camaisa has established at Calidi, the strong team that he has assembled and the opportunity to advance these groundbreaking therapies. I look forward to leveraging my experience not only as a biotech CEO but also as a former business development executive and healthcare fund analyst, to drive and increase shareholder value.”
Calidi board chair James Schoeneck expressed confidence in Dr. Poma’s leadership, stating, “We are pleased to welcome Eric as Calidi’s new CEO, given his deep experience in life science leadership with a focus on oncology, as Calidi advances its systemic enveloped virotherapy platform to the clinic and prepares for a company-sponsored, dose escalation trial of CLD-201 in adult patients with solid tumors.”
As Calidi Biotherapeutics continues to pioneer targeted antitumor virotherapies, the appointment of Dr. Poma as CEO represents a strategic move to harness experienced leadership for the company’s next phase of growth. His extensive background in oncology, successful track record in fundraising and strategic partnerships, and comprehensive understanding of the biotech landscape position him to effectively steer Calidi’s innovative therapies through clinical development and toward commercialization.
For more information, visit www.CalidiBio.com.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to CLDI are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/CLDI
