Abcuro Appoints Darlene Deptula-Hicks to its Board of Directors

NEWTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Abcuro, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapies for autoimmune diseases and cancer through precise modulation of cytotoxic T and NK cells, today announced the appointment of Darlene Deptula-Hicks as a member of the company’s Board of Directors. Ms. Deptula-Hicks is a highly regarded financial executive with decades of experience working with and advising private and public life sciences companies.

“We are excited to welcome Darlene to our Board of Directors at this important time in our company,” said David de Graaf, Chief Executive Officer of Abcuro. “Darlene brings an impressive, thirty-year track record working with both publicly traded and venture-backed life sciences companies to Abcuro. Her insights will be invaluable as we continue to advance the clinical development of ABC008 and expand our therapeutic pipeline. We look forward to working with Darlene in developing capital market options and potential partnerships.”

Ms. Deptula-Hicks is recognized for her breadth of expertise in growth strategies and success at capital raising and initial public offerings (IPO). She operates Crimson Advisors, LLC, a strategic financial consulting services company and currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer of F-star Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSTX) which she took public in 2020. She provides strategic financial and business direction and leadership on long-term strategies and decisions affecting the future financial performance of organizations including capital formation, commercialization, strategy and M&A. Previously, she was Chief Financial Officer of Northern Biologics, Inc., and T2 Biosystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTOO). She also served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:PIRS) which she also took public. Ms. Deptula-Hicks received her M.B.A. from Rivier University and B.S in accounting from Southern New Hampshire University.

“I am excited to join Abcuro’s Board and help further grow the company as they develop potentially life-changing medicines,” said Ms. Deptula-Hicks. “I look forward to contributing to Abcuro’s success and bringing value to investors, potential partners and of course, patients.”

About ABC008

ABC008 is a first-in-class anti-KLRG1 antibody capable of selectively depleting highly cytotoxic T cells, while sparing regulatory and central memory T cells. ABC008 has been designed to treat diseases mediated by highly cytotoxic T cells, including the autoimmune muscle disease inclusion body myositis (IBM), T cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGLL), and other mature T cell malignancies. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation to ABC008 for the treatment of IBM.

About Abcuro

Abcuro is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases and cancer through precise modulation of highly cytotoxic T and NK cells. The company’s lead program is ABC008, which is currently in clinical trials for inclusion body myositis (IBM). ABC008 is also advancing into clinical trials for additional autoimmune disease indications. The company is also developing ABC015 to selectively activate highly cytotoxic T and NK cells for treating cancer. For more information, visit abcuro.com.

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Source: Abcuro, Inc.