Calidi Biotherapeutics Inc. (NYSE American: CLDI) announced a significant leadership transition as Eric Poma, Ph.D., takes the helm as Chief Executive Officer and joins the company's Board of Directors, effective April 22, 2025. Dr. Poma succeeds Allan Camaisa, who will continue to serve as a board member after successfully guiding the clinical-stage biotechnology company through key developmental milestones.
The San Diego-based immuno-oncology company is developing a new generation of targeted antitumor virotherapies, with several programs advancing through clinical and preclinical stages.
Strategic Leadership Transition
James Schoeneck, Chairman of the Board, expressed confidence in the appointment: "We are pleased to welcome Eric as Calidi's new CEO, given his deep experience in life science leadership with a focus on oncology, as Calidi advances its systemic enveloped virotherapy platform to the clinic and prepares for a company sponsored, dose escalation trial of CLD-201 in adult patients with solid tumors."
The board also acknowledged Camaisa's contributions, with Schoeneck noting, "We would like to thank Allan for his visionary leadership in advancing a new platform with unique mechanisms of action in the treatment of cancer and look forward to his continued service on the Board."
Camaisa highlighted a key achievement during his tenure: "I am proud to have achieved our first company-sponsored FDA approved IND for CLD-201." He expressed optimism about the company's future under Poma's leadership.
Extensive Industry Experience
Dr. Poma brings more than three decades of biopharmaceutical industry experience to Calidi, with particular strengths in capital fundraising, pharmaceutical collaborations, and clinical program development.
Prior to joining Calidi, Dr. Poma served as CEO of Molecular Templates (NASDAQ: MTEM), where he demonstrated significant fundraising capabilities by securing over $250 million in equity financing and more than $150 million in strategic capital through partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies including Takeda, Vertex, and Bristol Myers Squibb.
His career includes previous roles as Vice President of Business Development at Innovive Pharmaceuticals, senior positions at ImClone Systems, and experience as a Healthcare & Biotechnology Analyst with Eagle Growth Investors. Dr. Poma holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, complemented by an MBA from the Leonard N. Stern School of Business.
Advancing Innovative Cancer Therapies
Upon his appointment, Dr. Poma expressed enthusiasm about joining Calidi at a pivotal moment in the company's development: "I am thrilled to be joining Calidi at this exciting time, as the company progresses RTNova, its systemic, enveloped virotherapy platform with transient gene therapy payload delivery to the clinic with CLD-400 and continues to advance its CLD-101 and CLD-201 programs clinically."
Calidi's therapeutic approach centers on proprietary technology designed to arm the immune system against cancer. The company's novel stem cell-based platforms utilize allogeneic stem cells to carry oncolytic viruses for treating multiple oncology indications, including high-grade gliomas and solid tumors.
Pipeline and Technology Platform
Calidi's pipeline includes several promising candidates:
- CLD-201: Preparing for a company-sponsored dose escalation trial in adult patients with solid tumors
- CLD-101: Advancing through clinical development
- CLD-400: Moving toward the clinic with the RTNova platform
The company's technology includes two main approaches:
- Clinical-stage cell-based delivery platforms: Designed to protect, amplify, and potentiate oncolytic viruses, enhancing efficacy while improving patient safety
- Preclinical enveloped virotherapies: Targeting disseminated solid tumors with the potential to treat or prevent metastatic disease
This dual approach represents a potentially significant advancement in cancer treatment, particularly for metastatic disease, which remains one of oncology's greatest challenges.
Market Position and Outlook
As a publicly traded company on the NYSE American exchange (CLDI), Calidi is positioned within the competitive landscape of immuno-oncology, a sector that continues to attract significant investment and scientific interest.
The leadership transition comes at a strategic time as the company prepares to advance multiple clinical programs. Dr. Poma noted his intention to leverage his experience "not only as a biotech CEO, but also as a former business development executive and healthcare fund analyst, to drive and increase shareholder value."
With the foundation established under Camaisa's leadership and Poma's extensive industry experience, Calidi aims to accelerate the development of its innovative cancer therapies while navigating the complex regulatory and financial landscape of biotechnology development.
