Carisma Therapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing immunotherapies, has appointed Eugene P. Kennedy, M.D., F.A.C.S. as the company’s Chief Medical Officer.
 
Kennedy brings over 15 years of clinical and industry experience, including cross-functional leadership driving clinical development and regulatory strategies for oncology and immuno-oncology focused organizations. As Chief Medical Officer, he will be responsible for overseeing Carisma’s clinical development, regulatory and medical affairs functions.
 
“On behalf of Carisma, I am delighted to welcome Gene to our team,” said Steven Kelly, President and CEO of Carisma. “With his extensive expertise in oncology and a proven track record in designing and executing clinical trials for solid tumors, Dr. Kennedy brings invaluable insights to our organization that should immediately have a positive impact. We are excited to add his leadership to our organization to build on the momentum in our clinical program and to help advance our pipeline to deliver innovative treatments to patients.”
 
“I am excited to join Carisma, a company at the forefront of developing engineered macrophages across various therapeutic areas,” said Kennedy. “It is an exciting time for Carisma as it progresses its anti-HER2 program through clinical development.”

Experience

Before joining Carisma, Kennedy served as Chief Medical Officer at Galera Therapeutics, where he oversaw the development of the company’s radiotherapy in cancer.
 
Prior to his time at Galera, he served as Chief Medical Officer at Innovative Cellular Therapeutics, where he played a pivotal role in developing the Phase 1 clinical protocol and securing a first-in-human IND for a solid tumor CAR T-cell therapy.
 
Previously, he served in leadership roles at Innovative Cellular Therapeutics, Lumos Pharma, and NewLink Genetics. Prior to joining NewLink Genetics, he served as Associate Professor of Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University and held leadership positions as Chief of the Section of Pancreatic and Hepatobiliary Surgery and Co-Director of the Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary & Related Cancers Center.
 
Kennedy has also practiced, taught, and held leadership roles at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and Louisiana State University. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and an M.D. from the Medical College of Virginia.