UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 14, 2017 (November 13, 2017)
NewLink Genetics Corporation | ||
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) | ||
Delaware | 001-35342 | 42-1491350 |
(State or other jurisdiction | (Commission | (IRS Employer |
of incorporation) | File Number) | Identification No.) |
2503 South Loop Drive Ames, IA | 50010 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (515) 296-5555 | ||
Not applicable | ||
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.) | ||
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act o
Section 5 - Corporate Governance and Management
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Effective November 13, 2017, NewLink Genetics Corporation (the "Company") has appointed Eugene P. “Gene” Kennedy, age 49, as Chief Medical Officer of the Company.
Dr. Kennedy joined NewLink in 2014 from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA where he served from 2006 to 2013, progressing to the rank of Associate Professor of Surgery and held leadership positions including Chief of the Section of Pancreaticobiliary Surgery and Co-Director of the Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary, and Related Cancers Center. Previously, Dr. Kennedy has held faculty positions at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD from 2004 to 2005 and the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, LA in 2005. Dr. Kennedy obtained his undergraduate education at the University of Virginia and received his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia. He completed a residency and fellowship in Surgery and Surgical Oncology as well as a research fellowship in tumor immunology at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.
There are no family relationships between Dr. Kennedy and any director or executive officer of the Company. There are no transactions in which Dr. Kennedy has an interest that are required to be disclosed under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
In connection with Dr. Kennedy's appointment, Dr. Nicholas Vahanian resigned from his position as Chief Medical Officer of the Company. Dr. Vahanian will continue to serve the Company in his role as President.
On November 14, 2017, the Company issued a press release announcing the Company’s appointment of Dr. Kennedy as Chief Medical Officer. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit Number | Description | |
99.1 | Press Release, dated November 14, 2017, entitled “NewLink Genetics Appoints Eugene Kennedy, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer” | |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: November 14, 2017
NewLink Genetics Corporation | |
By: | /s/ John B. Henneman III |
John B. Henneman III | |
Its: | Chief Financial Officer |
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number | Description | |
99.1 | Press Release, dated November 14, 2017, entitled “NewLink Genetics Appoints Eugene Kennedy, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer” | |
Exhibit 99.1
NewLink Genetics Appoints Eugene Kennedy, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer
AMES, Iowa, November 14, 2017 -- NewLink Genetics Corporation (NASDAQ:NLNK) today announced the appointment of Eugene P. Kennedy, M.D., FACS, to the role of Chief Medical Officer. He will be responsible for leading all clinical development, medical affairs and related functions. Dr. Kennedy’s previous role at NewLink Genetics was Vice President of Clinical and Medical Affairs.
“Gene’s considerable experience in clinical trial design and implementation has made him an invaluable team member at NewLink,” said Charles J. Link, Jr., MD, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer. “We are glad he has taken on this new responsibility and know he will continue to contribute the critical expertise we need as we commence with enrollment of our pivotal trial for patients with advanced melanoma.”
Dr. Kennedy joined NewLink in 2014 from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA where he served as Associate Professor of Surgery and held leadership positions as Chief of the Section of Pancreaticobiliary Surgery and Co-Director of the Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary, and Related Cancers Center. Previously, Dr. Kennedy has held faculty positions at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD and the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, LA. Dr. Kennedy obtained his undergraduate education at the University of Virginia and received his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia. He completed a residency and fellowship in Surgery and Surgical Oncology as well as a research fellowship in tumor immunology at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.
About NewLink Genetics Corporation
NewLink Genetics is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on discovering, developing and commercializing novel immuno-oncology product candidates to improve the lives of patients with cancer. NewLink Genetics’ IDO pathway inhibitors are designed to harness multiple components of the immune system to combat cancer. Indoximod is being evaluated in combination with treatment regimens including anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agents, cancer vaccines, and chemotherapy across multiple indications such as melanoma, pancreatic cancer and other malignancies. For more information, please visit www.newlinkgenetics.com and follow us on Twitter @NLNKGenetics.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements of NewLink that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "will," "know," "continue," "commence" or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements about NewLink Genetics' plans for its clinical trials for product candidates and other statements other than statements of historical fact. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements that NewLink makes due to a number of important factors, including those risks discussed in "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in NewLink Genetics' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The forward-looking statements in this press release represent NewLink's views as of the date of this press release. NewLink anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. However, while it may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing NewLink Genetics' views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
###
Exhibit 99.1
Investor Contact:
Lisa Miller
Director of Investor Relations
NewLink Genetics
(515) 598-2555
lmiller@linkp.com
Media Contact:
Andrew Mastrangelo
AVP, Public & Media Relations
LaVoieHealthScience
617-374-8800, ext. 108
amastrangelo@lavoiehealthscience.com