Genprex Announces the Passing of its Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Rodney Varner
Genprex Announces the Passing of its Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Rodney Varner |
[08-May-2024] |
Ryan Confer Appointed Genprex President and CEO and to its Board of Directors AUSTIN, Texas, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Genprex, Inc. ("Genprex" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: GNPX), a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on developing life-changing therapies for patients with cancer and diabetes, today announced with great respect and sorrow the unexpected passing last night of the Company's co-founder, President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Rodney Varner, due to sudden complications after a courageous battle with cancer. Mr. Varner co-founded Genprex in 2009, and he has served on the Company's board of directors since 2012. He has served as President and CEO of Genprex since 2016. Under Mr. Varner's leadership, Genprex became a publicly traded company in 2018 and has successfully completed two Phase 1 clinical trials, opened three additional clinical trials, expanded its intellectual property portfolio, exclusively licensed new novel gene therapy technologies and has received three U.S. Food and Drug Administration Fast Track Designations and one Orphan Drug Designation. Genprex expresses its sincere condolences to the Varner family and to Mr. Varner's friends and colleagues. Mr. Varner will be greatly missed by all who knew and worked with him. As a cancer patient himself, Mr. Varner was truly committed to Genprex's mission to help patients suffering with cancer and diabetes. Genprex's Board of Directors issued the following statement: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rodney, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. Rodney was an excellent company leader, with a clear mission and vision for the future of Genprex. He was dedicated and devoted to seeing Genprex succeed in developing its gene therapies. He will be remembered for his faithfulness and loyalty to Genprex, his devotion to his family, his remarkable law career, his sense of humor and love for the outdoors. We have lost a leader and a friend." Ryan Confer, Genprex's Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to the Company's pre-existing transition plan, has been appointed by the Board of Directors to serve as President and CEO of Genprex as well as a member of the Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mr. Confer has served in chief level roles for a variety of early-stage companies since 2008. Mr. Confer has been a part of the Genprex team since 2011, before he was appointed Chief Operating and Financial Officer in 2013 and Chief Financial Officer in 2016. Mr. Confer will continue to serve as Chief Financial Officer until a successor has been identified. The Board of Directors will continue to meet to discuss matters related to the orderly transition and take steps to ensure continuity of business priorities and operations for the Company, including the initiation of a search for a permanent hire for the Chief Financial Officer role. About Genprex, Inc. Interested investors and shareholders are encouraged to sign up for press releases and industry updates by visiting the Company Website, registering for Email Alerts and by following Genprex on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements Because forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the appointment and transition of management personnel and other succession plan-related activities; Genprex's ability to advance the clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization of its product candidates in accordance with projected timelines and specifications; the timing and success of Genprex's clinical trials and regulatory approvals; the effect of Genprex's product candidates, alone and in combination with other therapies, on cancer and diabetes; Genprex's future growth and financial status, including Genprex's ability to maintain compliance with the continued listing requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market and to continue as a going concern and to obtain capital to meet its long-term liquidity needs on acceptable terms, or at all; Genprex's commercial and strategic partnerships, including those with its third party vendors, suppliers and manufacturers and their ability to successfully perform and scale up the manufacture of its product candidates; and Genprex's intellectual property and licenses. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as predictions of future events and Genprex cannot assure you that the events or circumstances discussed or reflected in these statements will be achieved or will occur. If such forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. You should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by Genprex or any other person that Genprex will achieve its objectives and plans in any specified timeframe, or at all. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Genprex disclaims any obligation to publicly update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. Genprex, Inc. GNPX Investor Relations GNPX Media Contact View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/genprex-announces-the-passing-of-its-co-founder-and-chief-executive-officer-rodney-varner-302140523.html SOURCE Genprex, Inc. | ||
Company Codes: NASDAQ-NMS:GNPX |