Richard Kenney, MD, FACP, Joins TapImmune to Lead the Clinical Development Program

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- TapImmune, Inc. (NASDAQ: TPIV), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company specializing in the development of immunotherapies targeting women's cancers, today announced it has engaged Richard Kenney, MD, FACP, in a consultant role as Medical Director for the Company.  Dr. Kenney will manage TapImmune's ongoing and planned clinical programs for its next-generation T-cell vaccine candidates, which currently include multiple Phase 2 trials in advanced breast and ovarian cancer.

Dr. Glynn Wilson, Chairman and CEO of TapImmune, stated, "We are delighted to have Dr. Kenney join us given his broad expertise and extensive experience in clinical operations in designing and implementing successful clinical development programs in immunotherapy, including those for DNA vaccines. We will benefit from his wealth of experience as we continue to advance our two current cancer vaccine candidates and our next generation DNA vector technology, PolyStart™, and position TapImmune as a leader in the immunotherapy of woman's cancers. Today's appointment marks an important transition in our overall corporate development program as we strategically focus on clinical operations now that our manufacturing operations and contracts are in place."

Dr. Kenney commented, "I am delighted to assist TapImmune during this exciting time of growth as the company advances two of its T-cell vaccine candidates though multiple Phase 1b/2 and Phase 2 clinical trials.  Each of these novel vaccines are designed to address significant unmet needs for women with ovarian and breast cancer, where recurrence is high and prognosis can be very poor.  Having led the development of multiple vaccine programs and immunotherapies for cancer and infectious disease, I am eager to utilize my experience to drive successful clinical programs for TapImmune in collaboration with the Company's top-tier clinical partners." 

TapImmune anticipates achieving several clinical milestones in 2017, including long-term survival and immunogenicity data from its completed Phase 1 clinical study of its TPIV 200 cancer vaccine, which is expected to be available in the third quarter of this year.  The Company also expects to report interim results from two of its ongoing Phase 2 studies of TPIV 200 in the fourth quarter of 2017, in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and triple-negative breast cancer.  Finally, TapImmune expects to initiate two additional Phase 1b/2 clinical studies for its TPIV 100/110 vaccine in HER2/neu+ breast cancer and HER2/neu+ ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

Dr. Kenney currently serves as President of ClinReg Biologics, LLC.  Prior to this role, Dr. Kenney served as Principal Medical Advisor and Chief Medical Officer of Immune Design Corp, where he established and led the clinical development, pharmacovigilance and regulatory affairs groups to advance the development and commercialization of the company's cancer prime-boost immunotherapeutic and vaccines.  Previously, Dr. Kenney served as Chief Medical Officer of Crucell Holland, BV, where he directed clinical development of a broad platform of vaccines. He also served as Senior Vice President, Clinical Development for Vical Incorporated, where he led the clinical development of DNA vaccines for cancer immunotherapy and infectious diseases. Dr. Kenney held key positions in vaccine development at GSK Biologicals from 2005 to 2009, most recently as Senior Director of Global Clinical R&D, Vaccines for Viral Diseases. He earned his M.D. degree at Harvard Medical School, completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Duke University Medical Center, and a fellowship in Infectious Diseases at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. 

About TapImmune, Inc.
TapImmune, Inc. is a leader in the immunotherapy of woman's cancers advancing multiple Phase 2 and Phase 1b/2 clinical studies for the treatment of ovarian and breast cancer. The company's peptide- or nucleic acid-based immunotherapeutic products comprise one or multiple naturally processed epitopes (NPEs) designed to comprehensively stimulate a patient's killer T cells and helper T cells, and to restore or further augment antigen presentation by using proprietary nucleic acid-based expression systems. The company's technologies may be used as stand-alone medications or in combination with current treatment modalities.

Please visit the company's website at http://www.tapimmune.com/www.tapimmune.com for more details. 

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer
This release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this news release concerning the company's expectations, plans, business outlook or future performance, and any other statements concerning assumptions made or expectations as to any future events, conditions, performance or other matters, are "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are by their nature subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those stored in such statements. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to the risks set forth in the company's most recent Form 10-K, 10-Q and other SEC filings which are available through EDGAR at www.sec.gov. The company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements.

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SOURCE TapImmune, Inc.