DOYLESTOWN, Pa., May 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: APRE), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on precision oncology through synthetic lethality, today announced the appointment of Nadeem Q. Mirza, M.D., M.P.H. as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Company, effective May 1, 2024. Dr. Mirza has been an integral part of the Company’s senior team as a consultant since February, 2023 and will now assume a more central role in leading the Company’s development of its expanding clinical pipeline.
“Aprea is at a critical point of enriching and expanding its clinical programs. Dr. Mirza has already made significant contributions to Aprea and we welcome him formally as our CMO, strengthening our growing senior management team,” said Dr. Oren Gilad, President and CEO of Aprea. “Dr. Mirza has strong expertise in oncology and drug development, with an exceptional track record that encompasses both development stage and commercial programs. This strategic appointment comes at a pivotal time for the company, as we expand our clinical pipeline and prepare to advance our second asset APR-1051, a highly selective oral WEE1 inhibitor, into the clinic.”
Dr. Mirza commented on his new role, stating, “Having worked alongside the talented team at Aprea Therapeutics as an advisor, I am impressed by Aprea’s approach to drug development and have been closely involved in the current clinical development programs. I am pleased to now manage these efforts from within the company and am committed to Aprea’s mission to be a leader in DNA damage response. I am particularly excited about the first and only oral macrocyclic ATR inhibitor as well as our highly selective oral WEE1 inhibitor and look forward to overseeing the upcoming clinical program for APR-1051, which has best in class potential.”
Dr. Mirza has more than 30 years of clinical and developmental experience in solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, having held significant leadership roles at large pharma and biotech companies. His prior experience includes serving as Senior Vice President, Clinical Development at Salarius Pharmaceuticals, from 2020 to 2023, where he oversaw early phase drug development in oncology. From 2018 to 2019, he was Senior Vice President, Corporate Medical Affairs at Verastem Oncology where he oversaw the launch of Copiktra®. From 2015 to 2017, he served as Global Head Hematology and Solid Tumors at Abbvie Oncology where he oversaw the global launch of Venclexta®. From 2013 to 2015, he was Vice President, Head of Oncology, North America Medical Affairs at Sanofi Oncology where he was responsible for medical affairs programs to support 12 products across several oncology indications. Dr. Mirza holds an M.P.H. from the University of Texas at Houston and earned his M.D. from the University of Punjab.
In connection with Dr. Mirza’s appointment, the Company’s Board of Directors granted Dr. Mirza a stock option to purchase an aggregate of 26,920 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Options”). The Options were granted outside of the Company’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) as a material inducement to Dr. Mirza accepting the Company’s offer of employment in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
The Options have an exercise price of $5.25 per share, which is equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on May 1, 2024. The Options have a ten-year term and vest over four years, with 25% of the original number of shares vesting on the one-year anniversary of the grant date and then in equal, monthly installments for 36 months thereafter, subject to Dr. Mirza’s continued service to the Company through the applicable vesting dates.
The Company’s Board of Directors also granted Dr. Mirza 6,730 restricted stock units (the “RSUs”). The RSUs were granted outside of the Plan as a material inducement to Dr. Mirza accepting the Company’s offer of employment in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The RSUs shall vest over three years with one-third of the RSUs vesting on each yearly anniversary of the grant date, subject to Dr. Mirza’s continued service to the Company through the applicable vesting dates.
About Aprea
Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, focused on precision oncology through synthetic lethality. The Company’s lead program is ATRN-119, a clinical-stage small molecule ATR inhibitor in development for solid tumor indications. Aprea has completed all IND-enabling studies for its oral, small molecule WEE1 inhibitor, APR-1051, and recently received FDA clearance of its IND. For more information, please visit the company website at www.aprea.com.
