Calidi Biotherapeutics Names New CEO, Grants Substantial Stock Option Package

Calidi Biotherapeutics has appointed Eric Poma, Ph.D., as its new Chief Executive Officer, with the company's board of directors approving a substantial stock option grant as part of his compensation package. The stock option award represents a significant investment in the company's leadership transition and demonstrates confidence in Poma's potential to drive future growth.

The stock option grant allows Poma to purchase 726,412 shares at an exercise price of $0.469 per share, which corresponds to the company's closing stock price on April 22, 2025. The options will vest over a four-year period, with an initial 25% vesting on April 22, 2026, and the remaining shares vesting in equal monthly installments through April 22, 2029.

Calidi Biotherapeutics specializes in innovative stem cell-based platforms designed to enhance the immune system's ability to combat cancer. The company's proprietary technology focuses on developing off-the-shelf, universal cell-based delivery platforms that can potentially improve treatment efficacy and patient safety for various oncological indications, including high-grade gliomas and solid tumors.

The new CEO's appointment and substantial stock option package suggest the company is positioning itself for potential strategic expansion or significant research and development initiatives. By providing Poma with a meaningful equity stake, Calidi Biotherapeutics appears to be aligning its leadership's interests directly with long-term company performance and shareholder value.

The company's approach to cancer treatment, which involves using allogeneic stem cells to carry oncolytic viruses, represents an innovative approach to addressing complex cancer therapies. Their preclinical work on enveloped virotherapies indicates a potential breakthrough in treating and potentially preventing metastatic disease.

As a clinical-stage biotechnology company, Calidi Biotherapeutics continues to focus on developing cutting-edge therapeutic approaches that could significantly impact cancer treatment strategies. The leadership transition and substantial investment in the new CEO signal the company's commitment to advancing its innovative medical research and therapeutic platforms.