Vesicor Therapeutics Appoints Michael Tolentino as CEO Ahead of Planned Merger with Black Hawk Acquisition Corporation

Vesicor Therapeutics Inc., the proposed de-SPAC acquisition target of Black Hawk Acquisition Corporation, has appointed Michael Tolentino, M.D., as its new chief executive officer. The appointment, effective March 17, 2026, marks a strategic leadership transition as the company advances its p53-based cancer therapeutic platform and prepares for IND-enabling studies and a planned FDA submission. Tolentino succeeds founder Luo Feng, Ph.D., who will transition to the role of chief scientific officer, allowing him to focus on the scientific development of the company's cancer therapy platform.

Dr. Tolentino brings more than two decades of biotechnology leadership experience to Vesicor, with a career spanning drug discovery, clinical development, and company building. His background includes involvement in the development of Avastin, a widely used cancer treatment, and leadership positions at multiple biotechnology firms. This extensive experience is expected to be instrumental in supporting the execution of Vesicor's growth strategy and its progression toward the proposed merger with Black Hawk Acquisition Corporation. The leadership change comes at a critical juncture as the company prepares for important regulatory milestones and advances its therapeutic platform toward clinical application.

The appointment signals Vesicor's commitment to strengthening its executive team as it moves closer to potentially becoming a public company through the merger with Black Hawk Acquisition Corporation. Black Hawk Acquisition Corporation is a special purpose acquisition company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The company's efforts to identify a prospective target business are not limited to a particular industry or geographic region, as detailed on their website at https://www.bhspac.com/.

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The leadership transition at Vesicor represents a significant step in the company's development timeline, particularly as it prepares for important regulatory submissions and advances its cancer therapy platform. The p53-based therapeutic approach represents a promising avenue in cancer treatment research, and the appointment of an experienced biotechnology executive like Dr. Tolentino suggests the company is positioning itself for the next phase of growth and development. As Vesicor moves toward its planned merger with Black Hawk Acquisition Corporation, this leadership change underscores the company's preparation for the challenges and opportunities of operating as a public entity while advancing its therapeutic platform through critical development stages.