BOSTON– Gamida Cell (the “Company”), a cell therapy pioneer working to turn cells into powerful therapeutics, today announced new executive leadership following a successful restructuring transaction (“Transaction”) with certain funds managed by Highbridge Capital Management, LLC (collectively, “Highbridge”) on May 24, 2024. As part of the Transaction, Highbridge invested $30 million of new capital into Gamida Cell, and is expected to provide substantial additional capital to support ongoing operations, including the research and development, manufacturing, and commercialization of its cell therapeutics. Following the Transaction, Gamida Cell now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Ayrmid Limited, a UK entity.
To advance the commercialization of Omisirge® (omidubicel-onlv), a NAM-modified cell therapy for allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant, Gamida Cell has named industry stalwart Dr. Joe Wiley as Chief Executive Officer, Rory Nealon as Chief Financial Officer, and Sheila Frame as Chief Commercial Officer.
“Gamida Cell has made great strides in advancing potentially curative cell therapies for cancer and has demonstrated the tremendous potential of its life-saving therapies to improve prospects for patients who cannot find appropriate donors,” said Wiley. “With Highbridge’s support, I look forward to leading Gamida Cell into its next phase as we work with hospitals across the U.S. to expand access to Omisirge for the patients who need it most.”
Wiley, Nealon, and Frame collectively bring more than 80 years of experience in building, growing, and commercializing innovative pharmaceutical treatments globally:
- Dr. Joe Wiley founded Amryt Pharma and served as the CEO until it was acquired by Chiesi Farmaceutici in April 2023. Prior to his role at Amryt, Wiley served as the Principal at Sofinnova Ventures and Medical Director at Astellas Pharma, and he held multiple investment management roles following his work as a neurologist.
- Rory Nealon was the co-founder, Chief Financial and Operating Officer at Amryt Pharma from 2015 through its acquisition in 2023. Before joining Amryt, he served executive roles at Trinity Biotech, first as the Chief Financial Officer then as the Chief Operations Officer.
- Sheila Frame most recently served as President Americas of Amryt Pharma until it’s sale to the Chiesi Farmaceutici in 2023. Frame has spent much of her career in executive positions leading the commercialization and growth of several important pharmaceutical products in oncology, immunology, and rare diseases in the US as well as globally.
“Through our recent transaction and infusion of new capital, we are demonstrating our commitment to supporting this mission-driven company as it works toward broadening the availability of its critically important treatment,” said Jonathan Segal, Co-Chief Investment Officer at Highbridge. “We thank Gamida’s prior management team for their dedication in advancing Omisirge and we look forward to a productive collaboration with the newly appointed leadership team to drive Gamida Cell’s future success.”
