Kyverna Therapeutics Welcomes Dr. Marc Grasso as New CFO to Lead Financial Strategy

Kyverna Strengthens Leadership with New CFO Appointment

Kyverna Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: KYTX), a pioneering clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in advanced cell therapies for autoimmune diseases, has announced a key leadership change that could mark a significant turning point in its journey. Effective June 30, 2025, Dr. Marc Grasso has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). With over 25 years of experience in public company management, capital markets, and investment banking, Dr. Grasso’s expertise is expected to enhance Kyverna’s strategic financial operations.

Kyverna’s CEO, Warner Biddle, expressed enthusiasm over Dr. Grasso’s appointment, emphasizing his experience in the life-sciences sector as a valuable asset. ‘Marc's proven track record in capital markets and his ability to instill financial discipline within growing public companies will be essential as we accelerate our clinical development and commercialization efforts,’ Biddle stated. The leadership transition comes as previous CFO Ryan Jones shifts to a strategic advisory role, ensuring continuity throughout the change.

Dr. Grasso’s impressive background includes his recent role as CFO at Alector, Inc., where he not only managed financial planning and analysis but also headed investor relations and accounting. His previous experience at Kura Oncology highlights his successful track record in capital allocation and strategic partnerships, vital components in optimizing a biopharmaceutical company's financial health.

Moreover, Dr. Grasso has an extensive investment banking legacy, having served as Managing Director across several leading firms, where he focused on the biotechnology sector. His impressive resume includes significant roles at UBS and Leerink Swann, where he was instrumental in expanding their life sciences divisions, building a robust network within the healthcare investment community.

In welcoming Dr. Grasso to Kyverna, Biddle also took the opportunity to recognize Jones for his contributions, underscoring the importance of a smooth leadership transition. 'Ryan has been foundational to Kyverna as one of our initial employees, and we are grateful for his contributions to the company’s growth.'

Dr. Grasso expressed excitement about joining Kyverna during such a dynamic period, stating, 'I am thrilled to help accelerate the next critical phase of growth for the Company.' His vision is to leverage his financial management experience to contribute decisively to the development of CAR T-cell therapies, aiming to make advancements that may benefit countless patients grappling with autoimmune disorders.

A Vision for Growth

Kyverna Therapeutics has set its sights on pivotal advancements in its clinical pipeline, particularly the development of its lead CAR T-cell therapy candidate, KYV-101. This innovative treatment is currently in late-stage clinical development, with trials aimed at conditions such as stiff person syndrome and myasthenia gravis, as well as multiple ongoing Phase 1/2 trials focused on lupus nephritis. The company's broader ambitions also include trials addressing multiple sclerosis and other significant autoimmune conditions, designed to inform future therapeutic directions.

In connection with Dr. Grasso’s appointment, Kyverna plans to provide him with an option to purchase 450,000 shares of common stock. This inducement aligns with the company’s 2024 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan, reflecting a strong commitment to Dr. Grasso’s employment and emphasizing a shared mission towards advancing innovative therapies to the market.

Conclusion

As Kyverna Therapeutics embarks on this new chapter with Dr. Grasso at the financial helm, stakeholders are eager to see how his leadership will enhance fiscal strategy and operational excellence in the quest to bring transformative therapies to patients needing them the most. With a dedicated focus on advancing their CAR T-cell technologies, Kyverna is poised for a promising future under this new stewardship, aiming to significantly impact the landscape of autoimmune disease treatment.