Calidi Biotherapeutics Appoints Eric Poma, Ph.D. As New CEO And Director, Announcing Leadership Transition

Calidi Biotherapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing a new generation of targeted antitumor virotherapies, has announced the appointment of Eric Poma, Ph.D., as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and member of the Board of Directors, effective April 22, 2025. This leadership transition follows the succession of Allan Camaisa, who steps down from his role as CEO but will continue to serve as a member of the Board.

Dr. Eric Poma brings more than 30 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. Throughout his career, he has built a strong track record in capital fundraising, securing big pharma collaboration agreements, and developing clinical programs. Prior to joining Calidi, Dr. Poma served as the CEO of Molecular Templates, a clinical-stage biotech company that focuses on developing novel therapeutic agents with unique biological properties for oncology treatments. Under his leadership at Molecular Templates, Dr. Poma successfully raised over $250 million in equity financing and secured more than $150 million in strategic capital through partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies such as Takeda, Vertex, and Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS).

Mr. James Schoeneck, Chairman of the Board, said in a statement, “We are pleased to welcome Eric as Calidi’s new CEO, given his deep experience in life science leadership with a focus on oncology, as Calidi advances its systemic enveloped virotherapy platform to the clinic and prepares for a company sponsored, dose escalation trial of CLD-201 in adult patients with solid tumors. On behalf of the Board, we would like to thank Allan for his visionary leadership in advancing a new platform with unique mechanisms of action in the treatment of cancer and look forward to his continued service on the Board.”

Dr. Poma stated, “I am thrilled to be joining Calidi at this exciting time, as the company progresses RTNova, its systemic, enveloped virotherapy platform with transient gene therapy payload delivery to the clinic with CLD-400 and continues to advance its CLD-101 and CLD-201 programs clinically. I appreciate the solid foundation Allan has established at Calidi, the strong team that he has assembled and the opportunity to advance these groundbreaking therapies. I look forward to leveraging my experience not only as a biotech CEO, but also as a former business development executive and healthcare fund analyst, to drive and increase shareholder value.”

Before his time at Molecular Templates, Dr. Poma was the Vice President of Business Development at Innovive Pharmaceuticals. He also held various senior-level positions in business development at Imclone Systems, Inc., a company specializing in oncology treatments. Earlier in his career, Dr. Poma worked as a Healthcare & Biotechnology Analyst with Eagle Growth Investors, LLC, a healthcare-focused investment firm.

Mr. Camaisa mentioned, “As the Company progresses with its clinical and preclinical programs, Calidi will benefit from Eric’s over 30 years of leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, having secured significant equity investments and big pharma collaborations. I am proud to have achieved our first company-sponsored FDA approved IND for CLD-201 and now, with this transition, I look forward to supporting the advancement of the Company as a Calidi board member and I am confident and excited about Calidi’s future under Eric’s leadership.”

Dr. Poma holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Additionally, he earned an M.B.A. from the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The appointment of Dr. Poma as CEO marks an important step in Calidi Biotherapeutics' ongoing efforts to expand its leadership in the development of innovative virotherapy treatments for cancer. The company is poised to benefit from his extensive experience in business development, strategic partnerships, and clinical program advancement.