GOTHENBURG: Elicera Therapeutics AB (publ), a clinical-stage cell and gene therapy company developing next-generation cancer treatments based on oncolytic viruses and CAR T-cell therapies armed with immune-activating properties via its commercially available iTANK platform, announced Tuesday that it has appointed Johan Liwing as its new CEO, effective Sept. 1.
Liwing has more than 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, including large pharmaceutical companies, startups and listed companies. His expertise spans drug development, oncology, cell therapy, business development and capital raising. He has significant experience in cancer treatment areas relevant to Elicera.
Most recently, Liwing was CEO of Lipigon Pharmaceuticals, where he transformed the company’s strategy, supported clinical development and raised capital for its Phase 2a program. He also led business development at Lipigon, resulting in interest from several global pharmaceutical companies.
Previously, Liwing served as CEO of XNK Therapeutics, a company focused on autologous NK-cell therapies. Under his leadership, the company grew from 2 people to 24 employees, its lead program advanced to Phase 2, and a GMP-certified manufacturing facility for cell therapy was established. Collaborations were initiated with Sanofi, MD Anderson Cancer Center and Karolinska University Hospital, while the company raised about $20 million from investors in Sweden, Europe and the U.S.
Before his roles in cell therapy and biotech, Liwing spent many years at Janssen (now Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine), holding both Nordic and global positions in hematology, market access and strategic partnerships.
Liwing will purchase 355,000 warrants exercisable in three years at a price 50% above the volume-weighted average price over the last 20 trading days. The valuation was performed using the Black-Scholes model.
Jamal El-Mosleh remains employed by the company until Oct. 31 to ensure an orderly handover.
“Johan is an experienced pharma and biotech leader with a strong background in cell therapy, oncology, capital raising, team building and business development,” said Margareth Jorvid, chair of the board of Elicera Therapeutics. “He combines his experience from global pharma with insights gained as CEO of smaller biotech companies. He is a hands-on leader and a strong team builder with experience in raising capital and a track record of working in fast-paced, rapidly evolving companies.”
“Developing a drug that actually has the potential to cure cancer patients is an exciting challenge,” Liwing said. “Drawing on my experience in building a cell therapy company and securing strategic partnerships, I hope, together with Elicera’s already strong team, to take further steps forward for the benefit of both patients and shareholders.”
Elicera Therapeutics AB (publ) has developed the patented gene-technology platform iTANK, which enables the arming of new and existing CAR T-cell therapies targeting aggressive and relapsing cancers. The company addresses a well-defined and large market. Its CAR T-cell therapies have shown potent effects against solid tumors, which are recognized as particularly difficult to treat and constitute the majority of cancer cases. The company addresses a global multibillion-dollar market in cell therapy through non-exclusive licensing of the iTANK platform to pharmaceutical companies. Elicera has four internal development projects in immunotherapy that separately have the potential to generate substantial value through exclusive out-licensing agreements. The company’s shares are traded on Nasdaq First North Growth Market.
