MacroGenics Appoints Jon Wigginton, M.D., as Senior Vice President, Clinical Development

ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- MacroGenics, Inc. today announced that it has appointed Jon Wigginton, M.D., as Senior Vice President, Clinical Development. Dr. Wigginton most recently held dual leadership roles at Bristol-Myers Squibb in clinical development and discovery research of its oncology programs.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jon to our team. He has demonstrated significant expertise in clinical development of oncology candidates throughout his years as both a clinical investigator and drug developer," said Scott Koenig, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of MacroGenics. "In particular, his leadership in the innovative design of clinical studies for rapidly advancing the field of immune checkpoint therapeutics will prove valuable in maximizing the potential of our oncology portfolio."

"Dr. Wigginton is replacing our esteemed colleague, Anastasia Daifotis, M.D., who will continue on as a consultant through the end of 2013," added Dr. Koenig. "We thank Dr. Daifotis for her valuable contributions to MacroGenics, especially for her leadership in the clinical development of teplizumab for patients with type 1 diabetes. We wish her well in her future endeavors."

Dr. Wigginton was previously the Therapeutic Area Head, Immuno-Oncology, Early Clinical Research and Executive Director, Discovery Medicine-Clinical Oncology at Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), where he led the early clinical development of the BMS Immuno-Oncology portfolio including anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1. Prior to joining BMS, Dr. Wigginton was the Director of Clinical Oncology at Merck Research Laboratories, where he led early- and late-stage clinical development teams for small molecules and biologics. During his academic career, he held several positions at the National Cancer Institute Center for Cancer Research (NCI-CCR), including Head of Investigational Biologics Section, Pediatric Oncology Branch. Dr. Wigginton is also past president of the International Society for the Biological Therapy of Cancer (now SITC). He is the author of over 50 manuscripts and reviews and is the recipient of multiple awards for scientific accomplishment from sources including the NIH, NCI, USPHS, iSBTc, ISICR, Children's Cancer Foundation, Merck and BMS. Dr. Wigginton received his M.D. and B.S. in Biology, with distinction, from the University of Michigan.

About MacroGenics, Inc.

MacroGenics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing innovative monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company generates its pipeline of product candidates from its proprietary suite of next-generation antibody technology platforms, which it believes improve the performance of monoclonal antibodies and antibody-derived molecules. The company creates both differentiated molecules that are directed to novel cancer targets, as well as "bio-betters," which are drugs designed to improve upon marketed medicines. The combination of MacroGenics' technology platforms and antibody engineering expertise has allowed the company to generate promising product candidates and enter into several strategic collaborations with global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. www.macrogenics.com

Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "expects," "believes," "intends," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statement. Specifically, there are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, such as the Company's ability to raise additional capital, and risks related to the Company's ability to initiate, and enroll patients in, planned clinical trials. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or developments, except as required by law.

SOURCE MacroGenics, Inc.