Corvus Pharmaceuticals Names Jason V. Coloma to Newly Created Post of Chief Business Officer

BURLINGAME, Calif., June 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRVS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel immuno-oncology therapies, today announced it has named former Roche/Genentech Vice President, Global Head of Roche Oncology Business Development, Jason, V. Coloma, Ph.D., to the newly created post of Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d0cf7156-361a-4d25-bed1-45ad26fe37ca

Dr. Coloma began his career as a research scientist in infectious diseases at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). In 2007, he joined L.E.K. Consulting, as a strategy consultant for pharma / biotechnology corporations and private equity firms developing partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, and market expansion opportunities primarily in the oncology market for his clients.  For the last 8+ years, Dr. Coloma has worked in senior leadership positions related to business and commercial development at Roche Diagnostics and then Roche/Genentech. Most recently, he led a team of business development professionals, business analysts, and competitive intelligence experts charged with augmenting Roche’s drug discovery and oncology business efforts where he facilitated the closing of a number of deals including Foundation Medicine, Blueprint Medicines, sQz Therapeutics, Tensha Therapeutics, C4 Therapeutics, and Pieris Pharmaceuticals. He also oversaw the creation of the immuno-oncology clinical partnership function at Genentech that completed several transactions including those with Celgene, J&J, Bayer, Syndax, Kite, Amgen, and Corvus Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Coloma earned his B.S. in molecular biology from the University of San Francisco. He received his M.P.H./Ph.D. in Infectious Diseases and Immunity from the University of California, Berkeley and his M.B.A. from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.

“Jason’s experience across large pharma and development stage biotech, particularly in oncology, means he brings to Corvus a deep understanding of the opportunities and strategy necessary to build a successful portfolio of cancer products,” said Richard A. Miller, M.D., an oncologist and co-founder, president and chief executive officer of Corvus.  “Dr. Coloma is ideally suited to help us commercialize our current product candidates and to in-license or acquire additional product opportunities.”

“This is an exciting time to be working in the field of immuno-oncology,” said Dr. Coloma.  “I am particularly pleased to become part of the Corvus team of accomplished and talented clinical and scientific experts who are working on cutting edge approaches to immuno-oncology and helping deliver innovative therapies to patients.”

About Corvus Pharmaceuticals
Corvus Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of small molecule and antibody agents that target the immune system to treat patients with cancer. These agents block or modify crucial immune checkpoints and reprogram immune T-cells. Corvus’ lead product, CPI-444 is a checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to disable a tumor’s ability to subvert attack by the immune system by inhibiting adenosine in the tumor microenvironment. CPI-444 is a small molecule that is taken orally. CPI-444 is being evaluated in a multicenter Phase 1/1b clinical trial in patients with various solid tumors. This successive expansion cohort trial is examining the activity of CPI-444 both as a single agent and in combination with TECENTRIQ™ (atezolizumab), Genentech’s investigational cancer immunotherapy. TECENTRIQ™ is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody targeting protein programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1). Corvus is conducting the trial with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, under a clinical trial collaboration the two companies entered into in October 2015.  For more information, visit www.corvuspharma.com.

CONTACT: Investor Contact:
Leiv Lea
Chief Financial Officer 
LLea@corvuspharma.com
650-900-4522

Media Contact:
Julie Normart, W2O Group
415-946-1087
jnormart@w2ogroup.com

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