WAYNE, Pa. and ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Avalo Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVTX), a leading clinical-stage precision medicine company that discovers, develops, and commercializes targeted therapeutics for patients with significant unmet clinical need in immunology, immuno-oncology, and rare genetic diseases today announced the appointment of Stephen Smolinski as Chief Commercial Officer, effective January 3, 2022.
“We are thrilled to welcome Stephen to our leadership team,” said Mike Cola, Chief Executive Officer of Avalo Therapeutics. “Stephen brings over 25 years of experience in defining and implementing commercial and business development strategies. He is well suited to both spearhead the development of Avalo’s commercial capabilities and help guide business development activities to identify opportunities to partner assets, as appropriate, and support activities to complement the company’s portfolio with strategically aligned new opportunities for Avalo. On behalf of the Avalo team, I want to thank Jamie Harrell, who previously served as our Chief Commercial Officer, for his contributions to Avalo and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
As Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Smolinski will lead Avalo’s commercial team including launch readiness initiatives and play a key role in the development and execution of the Company’s “go to market” strategy. Prior to joining Avalo, Mr. Smolinski was the Global Head, Immunology Therapeutic Area at Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (Sobi™). Prior to that Mr. Smolinski was Chief Commercial Officer for Selecta Biosciences where he led the commercial efforts related to SEL-212 for Chronic Refractory Gout. He was involved in multiple gene therapy business development deals leading to collaborations and licensing deals with AskBio and Sarepta. Mr. Smolinski served as the Vice President and Head of Sanofi/Genzyme’s North American Rheumatology Business Unit, where he led the development of the company’s commercialization plans for the rheumatoid arthritis medicine KEVZARA®. Prior to this, he served as Global Vice President of Immunology & Inflammation, Global Strategic Unit at Sanofi. Mr. Smolinski also previously held senior commercial roles at Roche-Genentech, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, and Savient Pharmaceuticals. He earned a B.S. in Health Care Administration from Oregon State University.
“Avalo is building an exciting company developing targeted therapeutics in areas of significant unmet need,” commented Stephen Smolinski, Avalo’s Chief Commercial Officer. “With validation established in AVTX-002, it is now time to begin building a comprehensive commercial and business development strategy to advance these therapies. I am excited to be joining the Avalo team and look forward to doing my part to build on the full promise of the Company’s diverse portfolio.”
In connection with the appointment of Mr. Smolinski and in accordance with the terms of his employment agreement with Avalo, Avalo’s Board of Directors approved the grant to Mr. Smolinski of a non-qualified stock option awarded to purchase 400,000 shares of its common stock, vesting over four (4) years, with a twelve-month cliff, such that the first 25% will vest on the first anniversary following Mr. Smolinski’s start date with Avalo, and the remainder will vest in equal monthly installments over the following three (3) years, in each case, subject to continued employment with Avalo through the applicable vesting date. The stock option was granted on January 4, 2022 as an inducement material to Mr. Smolinski becoming an employee of Avalo in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The option has an exercise price equal to the closing price of Avalo’s common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market on January 4, 2022. The option is subject to the terms and conditions of the stock option agreement covering the grant.
About Avalo Therapeutics
Avalo Therapeutics is a leading clinical-stage precision medicine company that discovers, develops, and commercializes targeted therapeutics for patients with significant unmet clinical need in immunology, immuno-oncology, and rare genetic diseases. The Company has built a diverse portfolio of innovative therapies to deliver meaningful medical impact for patients in urgent need. The Company’s clinical candidates commonly have a proven mechanistic rationale, biomarkers and/or an established proof-of-concept to expedite and increase the probability of success.
For more information about Avalo, please visit www.avalotx.com.
