• A highly accomplished corporate development executive with extensive experience in international pharmaceutical and biotechnology transactions.
• The new CEO will spearhead a growth strategy to fully leverage the potential of the drug discovery pipeline for cancer treatment.

LONDON, Dec. 16, 2024 — NeoPhore Limited, a company specializing in small molecule neoantigen immuno-oncology, today announced the appointment of Michael Shih as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Michael Shih brings almost two decades of experience in business development, licensing, and mergers and acquisitions. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Corporate Development at Kite Pharma, where he led numerous business development initiatives. Prior to this, he held the position of Senior Vice President and Head of Business Development at Biogen, overseeing strategic collaborations and mergers and acquisitions. Before Biogen, he was Vice President and Head of Global Transactions at Sanofi, managing the structuring and negotiation of business development deals across Sanofi’s various divisions. He also held senior business development positions at Epizyme, Forest Laboratories, and Eisai.

Robert James, Chairman of the Board, NeoPhore, stated: “Michael joins us at a pivotal moment in NeoPhore’s growth, following a substantial Series B funding round backed by Bristol Myers Squibb. As we approach clinical trials, Michael’s expertise in corporate development within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors will be crucial in driving NeoPhore’s next phase of expansion.”

Michael Shih, newly appointed Chief Executive Officer and Board of Director, NeoPhore commented: “NeoPhore’s innovative approach to targeting the MMR pathway offers significant potential in cancer treatment. I look forward to collaborating with the highly skilled NeoPhore team, who share a clear commitment to advancing the Company’s pipeline.”

Mr. Shih, a lawyer by training, previously practiced law at several New York firms and held senior in-house legal roles at Eisai Inc., focusing on licensing, corporate transactions, and litigation.

NeoPhore is developing a pipeline of highly validated, first-in-class small molecule drugs targeting proteins within the MMR pathway to enhance the effectiveness and longevity of groundbreaking immunotherapies for cancer. The appointment of Michael Shih as CEO follows the successful completion of the Company’s oversubscribed Series B financing. This funding and the new CEO appointment strengthen NeoPhore’s position to execute its growth strategy and maximize the potential of its drug pipeline.

About

NeoPhore, based in the UK, is dedicated to the discovery and development of novel small molecule therapies for cancer treatment through immune system stimulation. The generation of cancer neoantigens in tumors can be leveraged by patients’ immune systems to overcome natural cancer defenses. The Company’s approach targets the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) pathway, known to promote neoantigen creation and subsequent immunity against various cancers. Leveraging this understanding, NeoPhore aims to create next-generation immuno-oncology therapeutics to improve clinical outcomes for cancer patients. NeoPhore originated from the University of Turin and PhoreMost Ltd through the CRT Pioneer Fund. For more information, please visit