NewLink Genetics Corporation Appoints Brian Wiley as Chief Commercial Officer

AMES, Iowa, Jan. 08, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NewLink Genetics Corporation (NASDAQ:NLNK), a biopharmaceutical company at the forefront of discovering, developing and commercializing novel immuno-oncology product candidates, including both cellular immunotherapy and checkpoint inhibitor platforms, to improve the lives of patients with cancer, today announced the appointment of Brian Wiley, 48, as Chief Commercial Officer.

Mr. Wiley has served as NewLink Genetics’ Vice President of Business Development since January 2013 and has more than 20 years’ experience in the oncology therapeutics market. In his new role, Mr. Wiley will lead the company’s commercialization strategy for its HyperAcute® Cellular Immunotherapy platform and, if it is approved, algenpantucel-L for the treatment of patients with resected pancreatic cancer.  The Company expects to report final results for its IMPRESS (Immunotherapy for Pancreatic Resectable Cancer Survival Study) trial during 2016.

“Brian has demonstrated leadership and strategic acumen and brings extensive experience and success in commercialization and launching innovative therapies for patients with cancer,” said Charles J. Link, M.D., CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of NewLink Genetics. “We are excited that Brian will lead the recruitment and development of the commercial team to bring this novel cellular immunotherapy to patients with resected pancreatic cancer pending marketing authorization for algenpantucel-L.”

Prior to joining NewLink Genetics, Mr. Wiley held management positions at Celgene Corporation, Gloucester Pharmaceuticals, Millennium/Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Aventis/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals. He played key roles in numerous oncology product launches, the sale of Gloucester Pharmaceuticals to Celgene in 2009, and the acquisition of Abraxis Health by Celgene in 2010.

“NewLink Genetics is committed to bringing immuno-oncology therapies to patients with cancer,” said Mr. Wiley. “We are excited by the possibility that algenpantucel-L may be the first FDA approved drug for patients with resected pancreatic cancer.”

Since joining NewLink Genetics, Mr. Wiley has led both the commercialization and business development efforts, including the company’s strategic collaborations on its IDO checkpoint inhibitor program with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, and the company’s collaboration with Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, in developing the investigational Ebola Zaire vaccine, V920 (rVSV∆G-ZEBOV-GP, live attenuated).

About NewLink Genetics Corporation

NewLink Genetics is a biopharmaceutical company at the forefront of discovering, developing and commercializing novel immuno-oncology product candidates, including both cellular immunotherapy and checkpoint inhibitor platforms, to improve the lives of patients with cancer. NewLink Genetics’ portfolio includes biologic and small molecule immunotherapy product candidates intended to treat a wide range of oncology indications. NewLink Genetics’ product candidates are designed to harness multiple components of the immune system to combat cancer without significant incremental toxicity, either as a monotherapy or in combination with other treatment regimens. For more information, please visit http://www.newlinkgenetics.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements of NewLink Genetics that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “seek” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements about NewLink Genetics’ financial guidance for 2015; enrollment in or results of its clinical trials for product candidates; its timing of release of data from ongoing clinical studies; its plans related to moving additional indications into clinical development; NewLink Genetics’ future financial performance, results of operations, cash position and sufficiency of capital resources to fund its operating requirements; and any other statements other than statements of historical fact. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements that NewLink Genetics makes due to a number of important factors, including those risks discussed in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in NewLink Genetics’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The forward-looking statements in this press release represent NewLink Genetics’ views as of the date of this press release. NewLink Genetics anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. However, while it may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing NewLink Genetics’ views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Corporate Contact:
Jack Henneman
Chief Financial Officer
(515) 598-2561
[email protected] 

Investor Contact:
Donna LaVoie or Kristina Coppola
LaVoieHealthScience
617-374-8800, ext. 107/105
[email protected]
[email protected]

Media:
David Connolly 
LaVoieHealthScience
617-374-8800, ext. 108
[email protected]