Context Therapeutics Announces Chief Medical Officer Transition
Context Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CNTX) announced a leadership transition as Dr. Karen Smith takes over as interim Chief Medical Officer (CMO), replacing Dr. Claudio Dansky Ullmann who will depart on May 10, 2025. Dr. Smith, currently a Board member, will serve in a dual capacity while the company searches for a permanent CMO.
Dr. Smith brings over 20 years of experience in drug development and commercialization, having previously served as Global Head of R&D and CMO at Jazz Pharmaceuticals, with additional senior leadership roles at Allergan, AstraZeneca, and Bristol Myers Squibb. She will oversee the company's clinical development programs during this transition period.
Context Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CNTX) ha annunciato un cambiamento nella leadership con la nomina della Dott.ssa Karen Smith come Chief Medical Officer (CMO) ad interim, in sostituzione del Dott. Claudio Dansky Ullmann, che lascerà l'incarico il 10 maggio 2025. La Dott.ssa Smith, attualmente membro del Consiglio di Amministrazione, ricoprirà un doppio ruolo durante la ricerca di un CMO permanente.
La Dott.ssa Smith vanta oltre 20 anni di esperienza nello sviluppo e nella commercializzazione di farmaci, avendo precedentemente ricoperto il ruolo di Responsabile Globale R&S e CMO presso Jazz Pharmaceuticals, oltre a posizioni dirigenziali senior in Allergan, AstraZeneca e Bristol Myers Squibb. Durante questo periodo di transizione, supervisionerà i programmi clinici dell'azienda.
Context Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CNTX) anunció una transición en su liderazgo con la designación de la Dra. Karen Smith como directora médica interina (CMO), reemplazando al Dr. Claudio Dansky Ullmann, quien se retirará el 10 de mayo de 2025. La Dra. Smith, actualmente miembro del consejo, desempeñará un doble papel mientras la empresa busca un CMO permanente.
La Dra. Smith aporta más de 20 años de experiencia en desarrollo y comercialización de fármacos, habiendo sido anteriormente jefa global de I+D y CMO en Jazz Pharmaceuticals, además de ocupar cargos ejecutivos senior en Allergan, AstraZeneca y Bristol Myers Squibb. Supervisará los programas clínicos de la compañía durante este período de transición.
Context Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CNTX)는 Dr. Karen Smith가 임시 최고 의료 책임자(CMO)로 취임하며 리더십 변화를 발표했습니다. Dr. Claudio Dansky Ullmann은 2025년 5월 10일에 퇴임할 예정입니다. 현재 이사회 멤버인 Dr. Smith는 회사가 영구 CMO를 찾는 동안 이중 역할을 수행할 것입니다.
Dr. Smith는 20년 이상의 신약 개발 및 상용화 경험을 보유하고 있으며, 이전에 Jazz Pharmaceuticals에서 글로벌 연구개발 책임자 및 CMO를 역임했고 Allergan, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb에서 고위 리더십 직책을 맡았습니다. 전환 기간 동안 회사의 임상 개발 프로그램을 총괄할 예정입니다.
Context Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CNTX) a annoncé un changement de direction avec la nomination de la Dre Karen Smith en tant que directrice médicale par intérim (CMO), remplaçant le Dr Claudio Dansky Ullmann qui quittera ses fonctions le 10 mai 2025. La Dre Smith, actuellement membre du conseil d'administration, assumera un double rôle pendant la recherche d'un CMO permanent.
La Dre Smith apporte plus de 20 ans d'expérience dans le développement et la commercialisation de médicaments, ayant précédemment occupé les postes de responsable mondiale de la R&D et CMO chez Jazz Pharmaceuticals, ainsi que des postes de direction chez Allergan, AstraZeneca et Bristol Myers Squibb. Elle supervisera les programmes de développement clinique de l'entreprise durant cette période de transition.
Context Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CNTX) gab einen Führungswechsel bekannt: Dr. Karen Smith übernimmt als interimistische Chief Medical Officer (CMO) und ersetzt Dr. Claudio Dansky Ullmann, der am 10. Mai 2025 ausscheiden wird. Dr. Smith, derzeit Vorstandsmitglied, wird während der Suche nach einem dauerhaften CMO eine Doppelfunktion ausüben.
Dr. Smith bringt über 20 Jahre Erfahrung in der Arzneimittelentwicklung und Kommerzialisierung mit, war zuvor Global Head of R&D und CMO bei Jazz Pharmaceuticals sowie in leitenden Positionen bei Allergan, AstraZeneca und Bristol Myers Squibb tätig. Sie wird während dieser Übergangsphase die klinischen Entwicklungsprogramme des Unternehmens leiten.
- Appointment of highly experienced Dr. Smith with 20+ years in drug development
- Seamless transition with Dr. Smith already familiar with company as Board member
- Strong leadership background from major pharmaceutical companies (Jazz, Allergan, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb)
- Unexpected departure of current CMO Dr. Dansky Ullmann
- Temporary nature of CMO position creates uncertainty
- Dual role of Dr. Smith as Board member and interim CMO could create governance challenges
Board Member Dr. Karen Smith to serve as Interim Chief Medical Officer
PHILADELPHIA, May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Context Therapeutics Inc. (“Context” or “Company”) (Nasdaq: CNTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing T cell engaging bispecific antibodies for solid tumors, today announced Dr. Karen Smith, MD, PhD, MBA, LLM as interim Chief Medical Officer (“CMO”). Dr. Smith replaces Dr. Claudio Dansky Ullmann, who will be leaving the Company effective May 10, 2025. Dr. Smith will continue in a dual capacity as interim CMO and a member of the Company’s Board of Directors (“Board”) while the Company conducts a search for a new, full-time CMO. Dr. Smith will take over key responsibilities on an interim basis, ensuring continuity in strategic guidance for the Company’s clinical development programs.
Dr. Smith has served on Context’s Board since 2024 and is a biopharmaceutical thought leader with over 20 years of experience bringing drugs into the clinic and through commercialization. She was previously Global Head of Research & Development and Chief Medical Officer of Jazz Pharmaceuticals and has also held senior leadership roles at Allergan, AstraZeneca, and Bristol Myers Squibb.
“As we take the next steps in advancing our pipeline, I am delighted to have Karen’s support and leadership. Karen’s experience in drug development will make her guidance invaluable through this transition,” said Martin Lehr, CEO of Context. “I am grateful to Claudio for his contributions to Context.”
About Context Therapeutics®
Context Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: CNTX) is a biopharmaceutical company advancing T cell engaging (“TCE”) bispecific antibodies for solid tumors. Context is building an innovative portfolio of TCE bispecific therapeutics, including CTIM-76, a Claudin 6 x CD3 TCE, CT-95, a Mesothelin x CD3 TCE, and CT-202, a Nectin-4 x CD3 TCE. Context is headquartered in Philadelphia. For more information, please visit www.contexttherapeutics.com or follow the Company on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that involve substantial risks and uncertainties for purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this press release regarding strategy, future operations, prospects, plans and objectives of management, including words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “look forward,” “plan,” “intend,” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions, or circumstances) are forward-looking statements. These include, without limitation, statements regarding (i) the potential benefits, characteristics, safety and side effect profile of our product candidates, (ii) continuity in the Company’s clinical development programs, (iii) the likelihood data will support future development, and (iv) the likelihood of obtaining regulatory approval for our product candidates. Forward-looking statements in this release involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, and we therefore cannot assure you that our plans, intentions, expectations, or strategies will be attained or achieved. Other factors that may cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements in this press release are discussed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the section titled “Risk Factors” contained therein. Except as otherwise required by law, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events, or circumstances or otherwise.
Investor Relations Contact:
Jennifer Minai-Azary
Chief Financial Officer
Context Therapeutics Inc.
IR@contexttherapeutics.com
FAQ
Who is the new interim CMO of Context Therapeutics (CNTX)?
What is Dr. Karen Smith's experience in the pharmaceutical industry?
Who is Dr. Karen Smith replacing as CMO at Context Therapeutics?
Will Dr. Karen Smith continue her role on Context Therapeutics' Board while serving as CMO?
