San Francisco based clinical-stage biotech company Five Prime Therapeutics has named the new interim Chief Executive Officer, William Ringo, who will start immediately, to replace Aron Knickerbocker, who has resigned to look for new opportunities.
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Five Prime Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FPRX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing immune modulators and precision therapies for solid tumor cancers, announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed William “Bill” Ringo as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Ringo will succeed Chief Executive Officer and Board Member Aron Knickerbocker, who has resigned from the company to pursue new challenges and opportunities. Mr. Ringo will continue to serve as Chairman of Five Prime’s Board of Directors.
“I look forward to working with the talented executive team at Five Prime as interim CEO to ensure that all clinical programs remain on track as we enter a period where upcoming data events will provide insights to enable prioritization of clinical investments and pipeline programs,” said Mr. Ringo. “The Board is initiating a search process to recruit a permanent Chief Executive Officer.”
Mr. Ringo has served as the Chairman of the Five Prime Board of Directors since January 2019 and as a Board Member since October 2014. He is an industry leader who has served in numerous executive and board roles across the pharmaceutical, biotech and venture capital sectors. Mr. Ringo served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Abgenix and as Senior Vice President of Business Development, Strategy and Innovation at Pfizer. He also served for 28 years at Eli Lilly and Company in numerous executive roles, including Product Group President for Oncology and Critical Care, President of Internal Medicine Products, President of the Infectious Diseases Business Unit and Vice President of Sales and Marketing for U.S. Pharmaceuticals.
“On behalf of the Board, I thank Aron for his dedication and numerous contributions during ten years of service as Five Prime evolved from a research-oriented private company to a public one with multiple programs advancing in clinical development,” Mr. Ringo continued. “As Chief Executive Officer, Aron provided leadership for the expansion of our clinical portfolio and we wish him well in his future endeavors.”