Tevogen Bio Announces Appointment of Anthony Tarantino as Patient Advocate to Enhance Community Engagement and Patient Support

WARREN, N.J., Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tevogen Bio (“Tevogen” or “Tevogen Bio Holdings Inc.”) (Nasdaq: TVGN), a clinical-stage specialty immunotherapy biotech developing off-the-shelf, genetically unmodified T cell therapeutics to treat infectious disease and cancers, is pleased to announce the appointment of Anthony Tarantino as its new Patient Advocate. Tarantino, a well-known leader in firefighter safety and community advocacy, brings extensive experience in representing and supporting high-risk groups, including first responders.

Anthony Tarantino previously served as President of the Newark Fire Officers Union and Legislative Vice President of the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ). In these roles, Tarantino was instrumental in advancing policies for firefighter health, safety, and wellness. One of his notable achievements was in advocating for and securing the passage of legislation in New Jersey mandating regular cancer screenings for firefighters. This legislation acknowledges the increased risk of cancer among firefighters due to their exposure to toxic substances and aims to provide critical early detection and healthcare support to those serving on the frontlines.

“A Natural Fit for Advocacy”

Ryan Saadi, MD, MPH, Founder and CEO of Tevogen Bio, highlighted Tarantino’s appointment, stating, “Anthony’s longstanding dedication to improving the lives of frontline heroes aligns with our mission of advancing patient-centered healthcare. His leadership was pivotal in passing cancer screening legislation for firefighters in New Jersey, providing critical protection to those who are at increased risk due to their daily exposure to hazardous environments. His deep understanding of these challenges, coupled with his ability to advocate effectively at the local and legislative levels, will help us broaden our efforts to engage and support patients who face serious health risks, particularly in the context of immunocompromised cancer patients, the group at high risk of poor outcomes due to infections. Similar to his long-term work for cancer advocacy, Anthony will also advocate for those suffering with Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2, also known as Long COVID.”

Tarantino’s advocacy work has long been grounded in the principles of public health, access to life-saving resources, and legislative engagement. His leadership in the Newark Fire Officers Union and the PFANJ focused on securing critical health protections for firefighters, including advocating for improved safety standards, enhanced benefits for those affected by occupational hazards, and spearheading cancer screening initiatives that could be lifesaving for those at increased risk.

“Committed to Patient Empowerment”

Reflecting on his new role, Tarantino remarked, “My passion has always been to serve and protect, whether it’s ensuring the safety of firefighters or advocating for patients who are navigating complex health conditions. Tevogen’s mission to provide accessible, life-saving immunotherapies to those most vulnerable deeply resonates with me, and I am excited to be a part of this journey.”

Tarantino’s appointment comes at a crucial time as Tevogen Bio advances its investigational therapy, TVGN 489, for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 in cancer patients and those suffering with Long COVID. With his unique background in frontline safety advocacy, Tarantino will work closely with multiple stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem and Tevogen’s leadership team to amplify the voice of patients and strengthen outreach programs.

About Tevogen Bio

Tevogen is a clinical-stage specialty immunotherapy company harnessing one of nature’s most powerful immunological weapons, CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, to develop off-the-shelf, genetically unmodified precision T cell therapies for the treatment of infectious diseases, cancers, and neurological disorders, aiming to address the significant unmet needs of large patient populations. Tevogen Leadership believes that sustainability and commercial success in the current era of healthcare rely on ensuring patient accessibility through advanced science and innovative business models. Tevogen has reported positive safety data from its proof-of-concept clinical trial, and its key intellectual property assets are wholly owned by the company, not subject to any third-party licensing agreements. These assets include three granted patents, nine pending US and twelve ex-US pending patents, two of which are related to artificial intelligence.

Tevogen is driven by a team of highly experienced industry leaders and distinguished scientists with drug development and global product launch experience. Tevogen’s leadership believes that accessible personalized therapeutics are the next frontier of medicine, and that disruptive business models are required to sustain medical innovation.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements relating to: expectations regarding the healthcare and biopharmaceutical industries; Tevogen’s development of, the potential benefits of, and patient access to its product candidates for the treatment of infectious diseases, cancer and neurological disorders, including TVGN 489 for the treatment of COVID-19 and Long COVID; Tevogen’s ability to develop additional product candidates, including through use of Tevogen’s ExacTcell platform; the anticipated benefits of ExacTcell; expectations regarding Tevogen’s future clinical trials; and Tevogen’s ability to generate revenue in the future. Forward-looking statements can sometimes be identified by words such as “may,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “possible,” “potential,” “goal,” “opportunity,” “project,” “believe,” “future,” and similar words and expressions or their opposites. These statements are based on management’s expectations, assumptions, estimates, projections and beliefs as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of factors that involve known and unknown risks, delays, uncertainties and other factors not under the company’s control that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from the results, performance or other expectations expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: that Tevogen will need to raise additional capital to execute its business plan, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; the effect of the recent business combination with Semper Paratus Acquisition Corporation (the “Business Combination”) on Tevogen’s business relationships, operating results, and business generally; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Tevogen; changes in the markets in which Tevogen competes, including with respect to its competitive landscape, technology evolution, or regulatory changes; changes in domestic and global general economic conditions; the risk that Tevogen may not be able to execute its growth strategies or may experience difficulties in managing its growth and expanding operations; the risk that Tevogen may not be able to develop and maintain effective internal controls; costs related to the Business Combination and the failure to realize anticipated benefits of the Business Combination; the failure to achieve Tevogen’s commercialization and development plans and identify and realize additional opportunities, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of Tevogen to grow and manage growth economically and hire and retain key employees; the risk that Tevogen may fail to keep pace with rapid technological developments to provide new and innovative products and services or make substantial investments in unsuccessful new products and services; the ability to develop, license or acquire new therapeutics; that Tevogen will need to raise additional capital to execute its business plan, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; the risk of regulatory lawsuits or proceedings relating to Tevogen’s business; uncertainties inherent in the execution, cost, and completion of preclinical studies and clinical trials; risks related to regulatory review, approval and commercial development; risks associated with intellectual property protection; Tevogen’s limited operating history; and those factors discussed or incorporated by reference in Tevogen’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the SEC.

You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Tevogen undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.

Contacts

Tevogen Bio Communications
T: 1 877 TEVOGEN, Ext 701
Communications@Tevogen.com