In a company release, NewLink Genetics Corporation announced its co-founder, Charles J. Link, Jr, M.D. has chosen to retire as company chairman, CEO and chief scientific officer, and will also resign from the board, effective August 3, 2019. Link co-founded NewLink Genetics in 1999 and served as chief scientific officer until his additional appointment to CEO and chairman in 2003.
NewLink’s board has established an Office of the CEO to lead the company. Four members elected to the office were Carl Langren, chief financial officer; Eugene Kennedy, M.D., chief medical officer; Brad Powers, general counsel; and Lori Lawley, vice president, finance and controller. Reporting to Newlink’s board, the members of the Office of the CEO will have full executive authority and oversee the execution of the Company’s operations and strategic initiatives.
“I am grateful and deeply honored to have had the opportunity to lead NewLink Genetics and work alongside some incredibly talented people on projects dedicated to patients with great unmet medical need,” said Charles J. Link Jr, M.D. “I have confidence that the company and its leadership have the resources to move forward and succeed and I look forward to watching the company’s progress. I plan to enjoy spending more time with my family as well.”
“NewLink Genetics is grateful to our co-founder, Charles Link, for his 20 years of service in building the Company,” said Thomas A. Raffin, M.D., Lead Independent Director of NewLink Genetics. “The Board of Directors and Company are thankful to Chuck for his many contributions and for fostering our mission of improving the lives of patients and their families. Moving forward, we are fully confident that the leadership team in the Office of the CEO is positioned to advance the Company’s goals following Chuck’s retirement.”
Read the full release here.