Shares of Ikena Oncology Inc. (NASDAQ:IKNA) rose 4.8% after the company announced that Kristin Yarema, Ph.D., will lead the soon-to-be-formed ImageneBio, Inc. as Chief Executive Officer, following the completion of its merger with Inmagene Biopharmaceuticals.
The leadership appointment comes shortly after Ikena shareholders approved the merger on July 15, 2025. The transaction, which includes a $75 million committed private placement, is expected to close by the end of July. Once finalized, the newly combined entity will operate under the name ImageneBio, Inc. and trade on the Nasdaq under the ticker “IMA.”
Dr. Yarema brings more than two decades of experience in biotech leadership. She was most recently the President and CEO of Poseida Therapeutics, which was acquired by Roche in early 2025. Her career includes senior roles at Atara Biotherapeutics and Amgen, where she oversaw various therapeutic divisions including inflammation and neuroscience.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Imagene at such a pivotal moment,” Yarema said in a statement. “We’re well-positioned to make a meaningful impact in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, particularly with the advancement of our lead candidate, IMG-007.”
Ikena board member David Bonita, who will remain on the board of the combined company, emphasized Yarema’s strong track record in both commercial strategy and public company leadership.
The new entity will concentrate on progressing IMG-007, an OX40 inhibitor designed to address a range of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.
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