Calidi Biotherapeutics has appointed Eric Poma, Ph.D., as its new Chief Executive Officer and Board member, effective April 22, succeeding Allan Camaisa, who will remain on the Board. Poma brings over three decades of biotech leadership experience to the role, having previously served in leadership positions at Molecular Templates where he successfully raised over $250 million and established strategic partnerships with prominent pharmaceutical companies including Takeda, Vertex, and Bristol Myers Squibb.
The leadership transition occurs at a critical juncture for Calidi Biotherapeutics as the company advances its systemic virotherapy platform and prepares to initiate a dose-escalation trial for CLD-201, its investigational therapy targeting solid tumors. Calidi's innovative approach leverages proprietary stem cell-based technologies designed to enhance the immune system's ability to combat cancer, utilizing allogeneic stem cells capable of delivering oncolytic viruses with potential applications in treating high-grade gliomas and other solid tumor malignancies.
The company's unique dual-approach platform aims to potentially treat or prevent metastatic disease by protecting, amplifying, and potentiating oncolytic viruses, representing a significant advancement in cancer therapy that could offer improved patient safety and enhanced treatment efficacy. Poma's appointment signals Calidi Biotherapeutics' commitment to progressing its clinical development stage and translating its innovative research into potential therapeutic solutions for cancer patients, with the company's platforms detailed further at https://www.calidibio.com/platforms.
This leadership change matters because it positions an experienced executive with proven fundraising and partnership capabilities at the helm of a company developing potentially transformative cancer therapies. The timing coincides with Calidi's preparation for clinical trials of CLD-201, suggesting Poma's expertise will be crucial for navigating the complex regulatory and commercial landscape of oncology drug development. The company's stem cell-based delivery system for oncolytic viruses represents a novel approach that could overcome limitations of current cancer immunotherapies by enhancing viral persistence and tumor targeting while minimizing off-target effects.
The implications extend beyond corporate leadership to potential patient impact, as successful development of Calidi's platform could address significant unmet needs in solid tumor treatment, particularly for aggressive cancers like high-grade gliomas where current options remain limited. Poma's background in establishing partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies suggests potential for future collaborations that could accelerate development and expand the therapeutic reach of Calidi's technology. The appointment reflects the growing importance of experienced leadership in biotechnology companies advancing complex therapeutic platforms through critical clinical milestones.
