AmMax Bio Taps Veteran Investor Travis Read to Steer ADC Growth Strategy

REDWOOD CITY, CA – June 16, 2026

In a move that signals a clear intent to accelerate its clinical and corporate ambitions, AmMax Bio, Inc. today announced the appointment of biopharmaceutical executive Travis Read as its new President and Chief Operating Officer. For a clinical-stage company operating at the cutting edge of oncology, this is more than a routine leadership change; it's a strategic maneuver designed to pair innovative science with the seasoned financial and operational acumen required to navigate the high-stakes world of cancer therapy development.

Read joins the private biopharmaceutical firm at what CEO and Founder Dr. Larry Hsu calls a “transformational period.” AmMax is focused on developing a portfolio of Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs)—highly targeted therapies often described as “biological missiles”—and is preparing to advance its lead program into the clinic. Read’s nearly two-decade career, spanning company building, venture investing, and operational leadership, makes him uniquely suited to guide AmMax through this pivotal transition from a promising scientific entity to a formidable clinical player.

A Strategic Hire for a Transformational Phase

Travis Read’s mandate is comprehensive, encompassing operational strategy, business development, and crucial financing initiatives. His arrival is a testament to the institutional innovation required to bring breakthrough therapies from the lab to patients. Dr. Hsu underscored this in his statement, noting, “Travis’s exceptional track record of identifying, funding, and scaling biotechnology companies makes him the ideal leader to help steer AmMax through our next phase of growth.”

This track record is well-documented. Most recently, as an investor at Emerald Bioventures and Gurnet Point Capital, Read was instrumental in deploying over $2.5 billion in biotech capital. His work focused on new company creation and portfolio development, giving him a bird's-eye view of what makes a young biotech succeed. Gurnet Point Capital, backed by a $2 billion allocation from the Bertarelli family, is known for its strategic, long-term investments in healthcare, including the 2022 acquisition of Radius Health for approximately $890 million. This background in high-level capital strategy is precisely what a company like AmMax needs as it faces the capital-intensive journey of clinical trials.

“His deep expertise in capital formation, portfolio strategy and operational execution will be instrumental in driving the success of the Company,” Hsu added, highlighting the key priorities: getting the lead asset, AMB-104, into clinical trials, advancing the broader ADC pipeline, and ultimately delivering new therapies to patients.

Sharpening the Focus on a Promising ADC Pipeline

At the heart of AmMax Bio's strategy is its creative approach to building its ADC portfolio. The company focuses on leveraging “clinically validated components” to construct its novel therapies. This method de-risks development by using linkers and payloads with established safety and efficacy profiles, allowing the team to concentrate on the novelty and precision of its high-affinity targeting antibodies.

Its lead program, AMB-104, is a potential first-in-class ADC aimed at a significant unmet need in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). The company reports having generated substantial preclinical data supporting the safety of the antibody and the established linker-payload, paving the way for its entry into the clinic. This is a critical milestone that Read is now tasked with overseeing and funding.

Beyond AML, the pipeline includes two bispecific ADCs designed for solid tumors, broadening the company’s potential impact. The commitment to this platform was recently solidified by a June 9, 2026, licensing agreement with Lonza. The deal gives AmMax access to Lonza’s advanced GlycoConnect®, HydraSpace®, and SYNtecan™ linker-payload technologies, further enhancing its ability to engineer next-generation ADCs. This proactive move to secure best-in-class technology underscores the firm's ambition.

Read himself commented on this unique strategy, stating, “AmMax has taken a truly creative approach to building a multi-asset, targeted oncology portfolio in an exceptionally short period of time.” His enthusiasm points to a shared vision for the company's future. “Together, we have a clear opportunity to advance important science with these compelling programs and ensure AmMax is well-positioned to deliver transformational outcomes for patients.”

Navigating the Competitive Landscape of Targeted Oncology

The ADC field is one of the most dynamic and competitive spaces in oncology. Major pharmaceutical companies have invested billions in acquisitions and partnerships to gain a foothold, validating the therapeutic potential of these targeted agents. For a smaller, private company like AmMax, navigating this landscape requires not only superior science but also flawless operational and financial execution.

While the announcement centers on AMB-104, AmMax is already active in the clinic with other assets. Research reveals that in January 2025, the company dosed its first patient in a Phase 2a study for AMB-066, a potential first-in-class treatment for Colorectal Cancer Minimal Residual Disease (CRC MRD). This program, being advanced in collaboration with MD Anderson Cancer Center, demonstrates that the company is already managing complex clinical development. Read's experience, which includes leading preclinical development at Coherus Oncology, will be invaluable in managing this expanding and increasingly complex pipeline.

The appointment is therefore a clear signal to investors, potential partners, and competitors. AmMax is not just a research-driven startup; it is building an executive team capable of managing late-stage clinical trials, negotiating partnerships, and securing the substantial funding required to bring multiple cancer drugs to market.

The Road Ahead: Capital, Clinical Milestones, and Growth

With Travis Read in the dual role of President and COO, AmMax Bio is poised to translate its scientific promise into tangible clinical progress and corporate value. His immediate priority will be to orchestrate the financing strategy that will fuel the company’s ambitious plans, from advancing AMB-104 into its first human trials to progressing its bispecific ADC and AMB-066 programs.

His background in venture capital and strategic M&A suggests a future where all options are on the table, including significant private financing rounds, strategic partnerships with larger pharmaceutical players, and an eventual public offering. The path forward for any clinical-stage biotech is fraught with challenges, but the deliberate addition of a leader with Read's specific skill set is a powerful move to mitigate risk and maximize opportunity.

By uniting a creative scientific platform with proven operational and financial leadership, AmMax Bio is making a definitive statement about its readiness to compete and its commitment to transforming outcomes for cancer patients.