Coulter Partners places global biopharma leader Carlos de Sousa as Chief Executive Officer at Valo Therapeutics

Valo Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel immunotherapies for cancer. The Company's proprietary PeptiCRAd platform combines oncolytic adenoviruses with tumor-associated peptides to generate strong and durable anti-tumor immune responses and advance the next generation of immuno-oncology therapies.

As Chief Executive Officer, Carlos will lead Valo Therapeutics through its next phase of clinical and corporate development, working closely with the Board, management team, investors, and strategic partners to advance the Company's clinical programs and maximize the potential of its immunotherapy platform.

Carlos is an accomplished biopharmaceutical executive with significant experience leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical organizations through periods of growth, clinical development, strategic partnerships, and value creation. His background spans oncology, immunotherapy, vaccines, corporate strategy, and business development, making him exceptionally well positioned to lead Valo Therapeutics as it advances its clinical programs and explores future growth opportunities.

Giovanni Rizzo, Partner at Indaco Biotech Fund and Member Board of Directors of Valo Therapeutics, commented: "We are delighted to welcome Carlos to Valo Therapeutics. He brings a combination of leadership experience, strategic vision, and knowledge of biotechnology, oncology, and immunotherapy. His track record of guiding innovative life sciences companies through periods of growth and value creation makes him ideally suited to lead Valo as we advance our clinical programs and pursue our long-term ambitions."

Giovanni added: "This was a critical time to quickly appoint a new CEO for Valo Therapeutics. We were seeking strategic, operational, and stakeholder leadership skills to guide a clinical-stage company through its next phase of growth. Coulter Partners quickly understood the brief, worked closely with our Board throughout the process, and delivered an international slate of suitable candidates, ultimately helping us to take the decision to move forward with the selection of the new CEO."

Commenting on his appointment, Carlos de Sousa, new CEO of Valo Therapeutics said: "I am delighted to join Valo Therapeutics as Chief Executive Officer. The Company has developed an innovative immunotherapy platform and is entering an exciting phase of growth. I look forward to working with the team to advance its clinical programs and realize the full potential of the technology."

"Coulter Partners ran an excellent process. Their understanding of Valo, the market, and the opportunity ensured constructive discussions throughout and reinforced my conviction that this was the right next step.”

Francesca Lazzarin, Client Partner at Coulter Partners, added: "Valo Therapeutics presented a compelling opportunity at the intersection of immunotherapy innovation and clinical development. Given the Company's international footprint and unique shareholder base, this was a truly cross-border search. Working closely with the Board and alongside my colleague Nanna Soni in the Nordics and our team in London, we identified a global slate of candidates with deep scientific credibility and proven executive leadership experience. Carlos stood out for his successful track record leading biotechnology companies, his expertise across oncology, immunotherapy, and vaccines, and his ability to lead complex international organizations. We are delighted to have supported Valo in securing such a strong CEO for its next stage of growth."

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Carlos de Sousa, M.D., MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Valo Therapeutics

Carlos de Sousa is a senior biopharmaceutical executive and business leader with extensive international experience across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, oncology, immunotherapy, business development, licensing, mergers and acquisitions, corporate strategy, and medical affairs. Throughout his career, he has held CEO, President, Chief Business Officer, and other senior leadership roles across public and private life sciences companies, including Ultimovacs, Immunicum, Zealand Pharma, Nycomed/Takeda, Novartis, and Pfizer.

A physician by training and an Executive MBA graduate of NYU Stern School of Business, Carlos combines scientific and medical expertise with extensive commercial and strategic leadership experience. He has led organizations through strategic growth, fundraising, public-market listings, clinical development programs, partnerships, and complex corporate transactions across Europe, North America, and international markets.

His experience spans multiple therapeutic areas, including oncology, immunology, vaccines, respiratory disease, central nervous system disorders, gastroenterology, and dermatology, from early-stage clinical development through global commercialization. Carlos also brings a strong track record of building high-performing teams, leading multicultural organizations, and identifying and executing strategic opportunities across the global life sciences sector.

About Valo Therapeutics

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