ImmunoGenesis Taps Veteran CMO to Tackle 'Immune-Excluded' Cancers

HOUSTON, TX – May 28, 2026 – Clinical-stage biotech firm ImmunoGenesis announced today the appointment of Dr. Claudio Dansky Ullmann as its new Chief Medical Officer, a strategic move signaling the company's intensified focus on advancing its pipeline against some of oncology's most stubborn targets: immune-excluded tumors.

Dr. Dansky Ullmann, a physician-scientist with more than three decades of experience that spans the National Cancer Institute (NCI), major pharmaceutical corporations, and innovative biotech startups, will now steer the clinical and regulatory strategy for ImmunoGenesis. His immediate focus will be on the company’s lead candidate, IMGS-001, an immunotherapy designed to overcome the defenses of cancers that have historically resisted treatment.

"Claudio is an exceptional physician-scientist and drug developer whose experience perfectly aligns with the next stage of growth for ImmunoGenesis," said James Barlow, Chief Executive Officer of ImmunoGenesis. "He has successfully advanced innovative oncology programs across multiple modalities and has a deep understanding of how to translate cutting-edge science into meaningful therapies for patients. We are thrilled to welcome Claudio to our leadership team as we continue advancing our pipeline."

A Strategic Move for a Critical Juncture

The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for ImmunoGenesis. The company’s lead asset, IMGS-001, is currently in a Phase 1a/1b clinical trial, a critical stage where a company's scientific hypothesis meets the rigor of human testing. Bringing in a leader with a proven record of navigating this complex journey from early-stage trials to market approval is a clear signal to investors and the broader industry of the company's ambitions.

Dr. Dansky Ullmann's role will be comprehensive, encompassing the oversight of all clinical, regulatory, and translational strategy. This puts him at the helm of not just trial execution but also the scientific work that bridges laboratory discoveries with patient outcomes. His leadership is expected to be instrumental as ImmunoGenesis moves from dose-escalation studies into dose-expansion cohorts targeting specific cancer types.

This strategic hire is backed by a solid financial foundation. ImmunoGenesis has successfully raised over $67 million in funding, including a recent $10.8 million grant from the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) specifically to support the Phase 1b expansion of the IMGS-001 trial. This non-dilutive funding, combined with support from venture groups like Cancer Focus Fund and ADIT Ventures, provides the company with the necessary runway to pursue its aggressive clinical development plan under Dr. Dansky Ullmann's guidance.

The Challenge of the 'Cold' Tumor

The central mission of ImmunoGenesis is to solve a problem that has vexed oncologists since the dawn of the immunotherapy era: the 'immune-excluded,' or 'cold,' tumor. While checkpoint inhibitors like anti-PD-1 therapies have revolutionized care for some cancers, they are largely ineffective in tumors where the body’s own T cells are physically blocked from infiltrating the tumor core. These T cells gather at the periphery but cannot penetrate the fortress-like tumor microenvironment to attack cancer cells.

This is not a niche problem. Immune-excluded tumors are estimated to account for more than half of all cancers, representing a vast unmet need and a market opportunity valued at over $70 billion annually. High rates of immune exclusion are found in notoriously difficult-to-treat cancers, including 70% of colorectal cancers and over 71% of pancreatic and triple-negative breast cancers.

ImmunoGenesis's IMGS-001 is engineered to be a battering ram against this defensive wall. Unlike first-generation inhibitors that primarily target either PD-L1 or PD-1, IMGS-001 is a dual-specific antibody targeting both PD-L1 and PD-L2. More importantly, it possesses an engineered cytotoxic function. This allows it not only to unmask the cancer cells by blocking checkpoint signals but also to actively kill the immunosuppressive cells that form the physical and functional barrier, clearing a path for T cells to invade. The ongoing Phase 1a/1b trial (NCT06014502), which began dosing patients in September 2023, is evaluating this approach in patients with advanced solid tumors, with expansion cohorts planned for ovarian, colorectal, lung, and head and neck cancers, among others.

A Proven Record of Drug Development

For a clinical-stage company, the experience of its leadership is a critical predictor of future success, and Dr. Dansky Ullmann's resume provides a compelling case study. His career is distinguished by a rare ability to guide novel therapies across the entire development spectrum. The most prominent example is his leadership in the late-stage development and subsequent FDA approval of Copiktra® (duvelisib) during his time at Infinity Pharmaceuticals. He steered the drug through pivotal trials for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), securing its place as a new treatment option for patients with relapsed or refractory disease.

His expertise is not limited to a single therapeutic class. Most recently as CMO at Context Therapeutics, he oversaw a pipeline of cutting-edge T-cell engagers. Prior to that, he guided novel cell therapies through IND and into first-in-human studies at Avenge Bio and CARMA Cell Therapies. This breadth of experience across small molecules, bispecific antibodies, and cell therapies gives him a unique perspective on the rapidly evolving oncology landscape.

This industry experience is built upon a strong foundation in public service and big pharma. His years as a senior investigator at the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) involved him in shaping national drug development initiatives. This was followed by senior roles at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, where he managed both early- and late-stage global oncology programs. This journey from shaping national policy to executing global trials and leading nimble biotech teams has equipped him with a holistic understanding of what it takes to bring a cancer drug from concept to clinic.

"I'm excited to join ImmunoGenesis at this important stage in the company's evolution," Dr. Dansky Ullmann stated. "The company's scientific vision and commitment to transforming immuno-oncology through the development of novel immunotherapies represents a compelling opportunity to make a meaningful impact for patients with cancer. I look forward to working closely with the team to advance the pipeline and execute on the company's clinical development strategy."

His new role at ImmunoGenesis represents the culmination of this experience, applying decades of accumulated knowledge to a focused, scientifically driven mission. As the company pushes IMGS-001 and its broader pipeline forward, Dr. Dansky Ullmann’s leadership will be crucial in navigating the scientific, clinical, and regulatory hurdles that lie ahead on the path to potentially redefining treatment for a massive population of cancer patients.