• New board appointments support Nykode’s strategic focus and advancing clinical priorities
• Dr. Barbara Krebs-Pohl brings extensive global partnering and biotech leadership experience
• Dr. John Beadle adds deep expertise in immunotherapy technologies, translational oncology and drug development in general
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• Susanne Stuffers to continue as Board member
Oslo, Norway, December 18, 2025 – Nykode Therapeutics ASA (OSE: NYKD), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel immunotherapies, today announced the proposed election of Dr. Barbara Krebs-Pohl as the new Chair of the Board, succeeding Susanne Stuffers, who has served as interim Chair since April 2025. In addition, Dr. John Beadle has been nominated as a new Board member. Both appointments will be proposed for election at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on January 21, 2026. Susanne Stuffers will continue as a Board member.
Michael Engsig, Chief Executive Officer of Nykode, commented: “On behalf of the management team, I am very pleased to welcome Barbara as the incoming Chair of Nykode subject to election at the EGM. Her breadth of experience across strategic partnering, drug development and global biotech leadership will provide invaluable guidance as we progress our programs and position the company for its next phase of growth. I would also like to welcome John to the Board. His deep understanding of immunotherapy technologies, translational oncology, and advanced therapeutic development will be a tremendous asset to Nykode.”
“I would like to warmly thank Susanne for her strong leadership and support during her tenure as Chair. We are grateful that she will continue to contribute to the Board going forward.”
Susanne Stuffers, outgoing Chair, remarked: “It has been a privilege to serve as Chair of Nykode during an important period for the company. I am proud of the team that through its resilience, commitment and hard work has driven the progress we have made in refining our strategic direction and strengthening our operational foundation. Barbara brings exceptional experience and perspective, and I am confident that she is the right person to lead the Board as Nykode delivers on its strategy. I look forward to work with both her and John and continue to support the company as a member of the Board.”
Biographical Highlights
Dr. Barbara Krebs-Pohl – Incoming Chair of the Board
Dr. Krebs-Pohl is a seasoned biotech executive with more than 25 years of global experience across R&D, business development, licensing, alliance management, portfolio management, and strategic transformation. Her career includes a distinguished 20-year tenure at MorphoSys AG, where she held roles including Chief Business Officer, Chief Integration Officer and Senior Vice President of Global Business Development & Licensing and Alliance Management. She played a central role in multiple high-value transactions, strategic partnerships, and the company’s evolution leading up to its eventual acquisition by Novartis.
Dr. Barbara Krebs-Pohl said, “I am honored to be nominated as Chair of the Board of Nykode. The company’s unique technology platform, its scientific excellence, and its commitment to developing transformational immunotherapies strongly resonate with my experience and values. I look forward to working closely with the Board and management team to support Nykode’s continued growth, further internationalization, and the advancement of its promising pipeline”.
She currently serves as independent director of CASI Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq), Chair of the Board of OneChain Immunotherapeutics (Spain), Managing Director of the Foundation of Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine and Managing Director of Viopas Venture Consulting (Germany). Her scientific background includes a PhD focused on antibody technologies, combined with extensive early-career work in immunology, oncology and discovery research.
Dr. John Beadle – Proposed Board Member
Dr. Beadle is an experienced biotechnology entrepreneur, physician, and senior executive with more than 25 years of global leadership across immunotherapy development, gene therapy, and oncology. He is best known as the founding CEO of PsiOxus Therapeutics, where he advanced multiple clinical programs, secured major strategic partnerships, raised substantial capital, and built an IPO-ready organization.
He currently serves as Non-Executive Chair of Vitarka Therapeutics and Non-Executive Director of Pneumagen, CamGene Therapeutics and Icosphere Biosciences. Earlier in his career, he co-founded PowderMed and contributed to the first clinical efficacy signal for a nucleotide-based vaccine, later supporting the company’s sale to Pfizer. He also held senior roles in R&D, product development, and global medical operations at GSK, Pfizer, PowderJect Pharmaceuticals, and Glaxo Wellcome.
Dr. John Beadle said, “Nykode’s modular immunotherapy platforms are among the most innovative in the field, with clear potential to transform how we approach immune-mediated disease and cancer. I am delighted to be nominated to the Board and contribute my experience in translational development, advanced therapy platforms, and company building as Nykode continues to advance its strategy and clinical programs.”
Nykode Therapeutics has called an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on January 21, 2026, to approve the proposed Board changes. A separate notice with full details has been issued today.
About Nykode Therapeutics
Nykode Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel immunotherapies with a focus on the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Nykode’s modular immunotherapy technology specifically targets antigens to antigen presenting cells (APC), which have been shown to induce a broad, strong and long-lasting antigen specific immune response in cancer, which correlates with clinical responses.
Nykode’s lead product candidates are abi-suva, a therapeutic immunotherapy for the treatment of HPV16 induced malignancies which demonstrated favorable safety and efficacy results from its Phase 2 trial for the treatment of late-line r/m cervical cancer. Abi-suva is currently being further developed in head and neck cancer. VB10.NEO, an individualized cancer neoantigen immunotherapy, has been investigated in two trials with more than 10 different indications.
Nykode is also utilizing its APC-targeted technology to create an immune tolerance platform for the potential use in autoimmune disorders, organ transplant rejections, anti-drug antibody reactions and allergy.
Nykode Therapeutics’ shares are traded on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE: NYKD). Further information about Nykode Therapeutics can be found at http://www.nykode.com.
Forward-looking statements for Nykode Therapeutics
This announcement and any materials distributed in connection with this announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they reflect the company’s current expectations and assumptions as to future events and circumstances that may not prove accurate. A number of material factors could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
Contact for Nykode Therapeutics ASA:
Alexandra Deschner, Head of IR
Nykode Therapeutics ASA
IR@nykode.com
Nykode Therapeutics ASA
Oslo Science Park
Gaustadalléen 21
N-0349 Oslo, Norway
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