On November 5, 2021 Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CALA), a clinical-stage, precision oncology biopharmaceutical company, reported the promotion of current vice president and head of clinical development, Dr. Emil T. Kuriakose, to chief medical officer (CMO) (Press release, Calithera Biosciences, NOV 5, 2021, View Source [SID1234594584]). Dr. Kuriakose will succeed Dr. Keith Orford, who has been appointed to Calithera’s board of directors.
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"Emil has a proven track record of leading clinical programs across multiple disease areas, and he is well-suited to assume this role at Calithera based on his accomplishments and four-year tenure with the company," said Susan Molineaux, PhD, chief executive officer of Calithera. "Keith played a critical role in building the company’s clinical team during his seven years at Calithera. We are deeply appreciative of his contributions to-date and look forward to his continued strategic input in his new role as a member of our board."
During his time at Calithera, Dr. Kuriakose has overseen the advancement of the company’s clinical development programs, including the arginase inhibitor programs in oncology and cystic fibrosis, as well as multiple telaglenastat trials. As an integral member of the diligence team, Dr. Kuriakose played a key role in the company’s recent successful acquisition of sapanisertib and mivavotinib from Takeda Pharmaceuticals, and he led formulation of the clinical development plan for the newly acquired assets. Prior to Calithera, Dr. Kuriakose led global clinical development programs, most recently with Novartis. Dr. Kuriakose completed his clinical training in hematology/oncology at Weill Cornell Medical College, including a research fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and he completed his residency training in internal medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX. Dr. Kuriakose received his medical degree from Stony Brook University School of Medicine and his Bachelor of Science in neuroscience from New York University.
"I have great confidence in our new strategic focus to develop targeted therapies for biomarker-specific patient populations," said Dr. Kuriakose. "I have had the privilege of working alongside Keith for the last four years and look forward to continuing our partnership as he joins the board."
Dr. Orford will assume the seat being vacated by current board member Jean M. George. Ms. George, a biotech investment and business development industry veteran, has served on the Calithera Board of Directors since 2012.