#Israel #Compugen #Holon #Dr. Anat Cohen-Dayag #Dr. Eran Ophir

Compugen's Leadership Transition: A New Era Begins in September 2025

Compugen Ltd., a notable player in cancer immunotherapy and a pioneer in computational target discovery, has announced pivotal leadership changes that are set to reshape its future. Effective from September 2025, these transitions come as the company aims to further its innovative projects and collaborations in the highly competitive biomedical landscape.

New Leadership Structure

Dr. Anat Cohen-Dayag, who has been at the helm of Compugen as its President and CEO since 2010, will transition to the newly created position of Executive Chair of the Board of Directors, pending shareholder approval. This strategic move is designed to allow her to focus on corporate strategy, build partnerships, and enhance investor relations.

In a significant transfer of responsibilities, Dr. Eran Ophir, the current Chief Scientific Officer, will step into the role of President and Chief Executive Officer, also joining the Board. His past decade at Compugen has focused on research and strategic initiatives crucial to the company’s successful development of its proprietary immunotherapy drugs.

Outgoing Chair Paul Sekhri, who will be leaving his post after eight years, expressed confidence in the leadership duo, emphasizing that they are well-equipped to drive the company into its next growth phase. Sekhri’s integral role during his tenure has laid a solid foundation for this transition.

Achievements Under Dr. Cohen-Dayag

Under Dr. Cohen-Dayag's leadership, Compugen has evolved from a fledgling startup into a significant therapeutic discovery firm, establishing an impressive immuno-oncology pipeline fueled by Unigen™, Compugen's proprietary AI/ML-based discovery platform. The company boasts several clinical-stage assets, including COM701 and COM902, as well as a partnership with AstraZeneca for the PDC-targeting rilvegostomig.

Dr. Cohen-Dayag stated, "I am immensely proud of our progress in advancing an innovative clinical pipeline and solidifying strategic collaborations. We have built a fantastic team, ensuring a strong financial position into 2027, and this is the right moment to pass the leadership to Eran, who has been a critical partner.”

She further elaborated on the operational strengths of Compugen, noting the company’s ability to discover new drug targets and advance proprietary candidates into clinical development both independently and through collaborations.

Dr. Ophir's Vision as New CEO

Dr. Ophir's appointment as CEO marks a continual commitment to advancing Compugen's scientific initiatives. Having played pivotal roles in developing the immuno-oncology pipeline, he is now ready to lead the company with a unique understanding of the operational and strategic aspects.

Expressing his gratitude, Dr. Ophir noted, “I am both excited and honored to take on this responsibility. Together with Anat and our talented team, I look forward to continuing to foster innovation and creating significant value for our stakeholders.”

Future Outlook

As Compugen prepares for this organizational shift, focus will remain firmly on enhancing its clinical pipeline and securing meaningful partnerships that can drive the next phase of success. With a robust strategy in place, the company aims to leverage its computational discoveries to deliver impactful solutions in cancer treatment.

In summary, the leadership changes at Compugen not only represent a strategic realignment but also a commitment to continuing the momentum built over the last decade. Stakeholders eagerly anticipate how these transitions will enhance the company's mission to innovate in the field of cancer immunotherapy. With Dr. Cohen-Dayag’s strategic oversight and Dr. Ophir’s scientific leadership, Compugen is poised for a promising future in advancing cancer therapies.