CERo Therapeutics Announces Biotech Industry Veteran Eric Francois to Join its Board of Directors

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CERo Therapeutics (OTCQB: CERO) appointed industry veteran Eric Francois to its Board of Directors effective Feb 17, 2026. Francois brings over 25 years in life sciences finance, including 18 years as a senior banker and prior service as CFO who helped raise over $300M.

The company highlighted his strengths in capital raising, M&A and business development to support CERo's cellular immunotherapy programs and ongoing human clinical trial.

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SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Feb. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CERo Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: CERO) (“CERo” or the “Company”), an innovative cellular immunotherapy company pursuing new targets and novel phagocytic mechanism, announces the appointment of Eric Francois to the Company’s Board of Directors.

“Eric’s decades of financial, transactional and operational experience will make an immediate impact to CERo’s board of directors,” said Chris Ehrlich, Company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Furthermore, his expertise in capital raising, M&A, and business development will be an impactful addition at this stage of our development.”

Mr. Francois is an executive with over 25 years of professional experience in the life science industry. For 18 years he served as a senior banker with Raymond James, Credit Suisse, Lazard, and Cowen, where he provided board-level financial advice on numerous transactions.  Formerly, he served as Chief Financial Officer of SCYNEXIS (Nasdaq: SCYX), a publicly traded anti-invectives company, where he was responsible for raising over $300M through equity, debt and non-dilutive sources.  He also was an independent director at CervoMed Inc. (formerly known as Diffusion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) (Nasdaq: CRVO), where he coordinated efforts to merge with EIP Pharma, Inc . Eric earned his M.A in business and marketing from The Sorbonne University, where he also earned his B.A. degree in economics and business administration. 

“CERo Therapeutics has developed a unique approach to the immunotherapy of cancer, as has been demonstrated across its preclinical work and also in the currently underway human clinical trial,” said Mr. Francois.  “I’m looking forward to collaborating closely with the board and management team to help advance the Company’s strategy for all stakeholders, including patients, practitioners and stockholders.”

About CERo Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.

CERo is an innovative immunotherapy company advancing the development of next generation engineered T cell therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. Its proprietary approach to T cell engineering integrates key functional attributes of both innate and adaptive immunity within a single therapeutic construct, designed to engage the body’s immune repertoire for more comprehensive tumor targeting. This novel cellular immunotherapy platform is designed to redirect patient-derived T cells toward tumor cells through both adaptive perforin/granzyme pathways and innate engulfment mechanisms, including targeting of the TIM-4 ligand. This employs phagocytic activity to destroy cancer cells, creating what CERo refers to as Chimeric Engulfment Receptor T cells (“CER-T”). CERo believes the differentiated targeting properties of CER-T cells may offer advantages compared with currently approved CAR-T therapies and could potentially extend the reach of cellular immunotherapy to both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. CERo has initiated clinical trials for its lead product candidate, CER-1236, for hematologic malignancies.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains statements that are forward-looking and as such are not historical facts. This includes, without limitation, statements regarding the financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations of CERo. These statements constitute projections, forecasts and forward-looking statements, and are not guarantees of performance. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this communication, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “strive,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. When CERo discusses its strategies or plans, it is making projections, forecasts or forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on the beliefs of, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to, CERo’s management.

Actual results could differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements in this communication. Certain risks that could cause actual results to differ are set forth in CERo’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and the documents incorporated by reference therein. The risks described in CERo’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are not exhaustive. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all such risk factors, nor can CERo assess the impact of all such risk factors on its business, or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. You should not put undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements made by CERo or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. CERo undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Contact:
Chris Ehrlich
Chief Executive Officer
chris@cero.bio

Investors:
CORE IR
investors@cero.bio

FAQ

Who is Eric Francois and why was he appointed to CERo Therapeutics' board (CERO) on Feb 17, 2026?

Eric Francois is a life‑science finance executive with over 25 years' experience; he was named to the board to strengthen corporate finance and M&A capabilities. According to the company, his background in capital raising, business development and transactional advice will support CERo's clinical and strategic goals.

What specific experience does Eric Francois bring to CERo (CERO) that might matter to investors?

Francois has 18 years as a senior banker and prior CFO experience responsible for raising more than $300M. According to the company, he also advised on M&A and corporate transactions at major banks, providing board‑level financial and transactional expertise.

How might Eric Francois' appointment affect CERo Therapeutics' capital strategy and M&A prospects (CERO)?

His appointment could strengthen access to capital markets and M&A execution by adding experienced financial leadership to the board. According to the company, Francois' track record in capital raising and deal advising is expected to support CERo's growth initiatives and financing plans.

Does Eric Francois have prior public company or board experience relevant to CERo (CERO)?

Yes. Francois served as CFO of a Nasdaq‑listed company and was an independent director coordinating a merger for another public biotech. According to the company, these roles gave him board governance and transaction execution experience relevant to CERo's stage.

What did Eric Francois say about joining CERo Therapeutics' board and its clinical programs (CERO)?

Francois said he looks forward to collaborating with the board to advance strategy for stakeholders, citing CERo's unique immunotherapy approach and ongoing human clinical trial. According to the company, he emphasised supporting patients, practitioners and stockholders as priorities.