Valion Bio (NASDAQ: VBIO) has outlined the perspectives of its new board chair, Thomas H. Jensen, on advancing Entolimod—an investigational Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) agonist being developed as a potential medical countermeasure for acute radiation syndrome (ARS).
Jensen brings more than 20 years of biotechnology and oncology experience and is CEO and a director of Allarity Therapeutics (NASDAQ: ALLR).
In a statement, Mr. Jensen commented, “A biotech company’s prospects depend equally on the promise of its drug candidate and its ability to execute. Having led Allarity through strategic change, I appreciate the significance of Valion’s own transformation earlier this year, and I see many of the key elements for success already in place.”
Entolimod’s development has been supported by approximately $35.6 million in non-dilutive funding from several U.S. government agencies, and the program holds FDA Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations for ARS. It is also backed by a substantial body of human safety data and by supply chain control through Valion’s wholly owned U.S.-based CDMO, Velocity Bioworks. To the company’s knowledge, there is no FDA-approved treatment for gastrointestinal ARS.
“The absence of an approved treatment for gastrointestinal ARS makes Entolimod’s potential especially significant,” Mr. Jensen remarked. “Longer term, I see an important opportunity in exploring whether the same molecule could address needs in cancer supportive care, where I can draw on my background in oncology diagnostics and drug development.”
Since becoming Allarity’s CEO in December 2023, Mr. Jensen has simplified its capital structure, streamlined the organization and reduced costs while concentrating resources on its lead candidate, stenoparib. During that time, Allarity has advanced its Phase 2 ovarian cancer program, received FDA Fast Track designation for stenoparib, strengthened its intellectual property position, and secured drug supply for later-stage development.
As chair, Mr. Jensen is working with Valion’s interim CEO, Dean Zikria, and Lisa Wolf, president, COO and CFO, as well as the board to align Valion’s strategic priorities with execution.
“I have rarely seen a company at this stage with such a substantial scientific, clinical and operational foundation,” Mr. Jensen concluded. “Our task now is to build on it with a clear sequence of achievable milestones and disciplined allocation of resources to reach them.”
