Cue Biopharma Appoints James Ahlers As Chief Financial Officer To Support Clinical Growth And Upcoming Development Milestones

Cue Biopharma, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapies for immune-mediated diseases, has appointed James M. Ahlers as its new Chief Financial Officer. He will report directly to President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Shao-Lee Lin and will help strengthen the company's financial leadership as it advances key clinical programs and expands its operations.

The appointment comes at an important stage for Cue Biopharma following its recent Investigational New Drug (IND) application submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for CUE-221, a potential treatment for food allergies. The company is also preparing to report Phase 2 clinical data for its chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) program later this quarter. Cue said Ahlers will play a key role in supporting its financial strategy, corporate infrastructure, and long-term growth as the company continues to progress as a clinical-stage biotechnology business.

Chief Executive Officer Dr. Shao-Lee Lin said the company is entering an exciting phase with important regulatory and clinical milestones ahead. She noted that Ahlers brings extensive experience in financial management, public company operations, capital markets, and strategic planning, making him well positioned to support Cue's next stage of development while helping advance its pipeline and create long-term value for both patients and shareholders.

Ahlers has more than 25 years of financial leadership experience across both public and private biotechnology companies. Before joining Cue, he served for nearly 20 years as Chief Financial Officer of Intarcia Therapeutics, where he helped build the company's finance organization, supported major financing activities, and strengthened its financial infrastructure during a period of significant growth. More recently, he worked as a consulting CFO and strategic advisor for emerging biotechnology companies, including Intensity Therapeutics, RenovoRx, Arsenal Biosciences, and RegCell, providing guidance on financing strategies, SEC reporting, investor relations, and corporate readiness.

Commenting on his appointment, Ahlers said this is an exciting time to join Cue Biopharma as the company continues to build a differentiated pipeline and achieve important clinical progress. He said he looks forward to working closely with the executive leadership team and Board of Directors to execute the company's strategy and support its continued growth.

As part of his appointment, Cue Biopharma's Board Compensation Committee approved inducement equity awards in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The package includes a non-qualified stock option to purchase 51,000 shares of the company's common stock and 25,500 restricted stock units. The stock option carries an exercise price of $30.40 per share, based on the Nasdaq closing price on July 30, 2026, and both awards will vest over four years, subject to Ahlers' continued employment with the company.