INOVIO has appointed two senior executives to lead its growth in the Asia market and to advance the clinical development of its DNA vaccine INO-4800 to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gene Kim joins the company as President of INOVIO Asia, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of INOVIO based in Seoul, Korea. Mr. Kim served as chief financial officer of several publicly traded Korean companies and successfully led a company through the initial public offering (IPO). Mr. Kim will report to Dr. J. Joseph Kim, INOVIO’s CEO.

Mammen (Anza) Mammen, M.D., FACP, FIDSA joins INOVIO as Senior Vice President, Clinical Development. The former U.S. military vaccine and pandemic expert will oversee the clinical development of INO-4800, INOVIO’s DNA vaccine targeting the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Dr. Mammen will report to Dr. Laurent Humeau, INOVIO’s CSO.

Dr. J. Joseph Kim, INOVIO’s President and CEO, said, “These two leaders bring the precise expertise that will further advance INOVIO as a leader in developing and commercializing DNA medicines and vaccines. Gene Kim has financial and M&A experience in Asia that will enhance our growth across the Asian market and, specifically, will lead INOVIO’s corporate development functions in South Korea and other Asian countries. Dr. Mammen’s product development experience and military infectious disease background will be invaluable as we move INO-4800 into late-stage efficacy trials and licensure. He also brings a strong biotechnology company track record to support INOVIO’s commercial portfolio of vaccines.”