ProKidney Announces Key Leadership Appointments Strengthening Clinical and Technical Operations

Dr. Ulrich Ernst joins as Executive Vice President of Technical Operations with a deep background and expertise in process development and manufacturing of cell therapies

Mr. Lucio Tozzi joined in January of 2024 as Senior Vice President of Global Clinical Operations having over 30 years of experience in clinical trial execution

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., March 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ProKidney Corp. (Nasdaq: PROK) (“ProKidney” or the “Company”), a leading late clinical-stage cellular therapeutics company focused on chronic kidney disease (CKD), today announced two recent strategic appointments enhancing the leadership team’s expertise in clinical operations and technical operations, positioning the Company for completion of its Phase 3 program and future commercialization. Dr. Ulrich Ernst, PhD joins the Company today as Executive Vice President of Technical Operations, and Mr. Lucio Tozzi was appointed Senior Vice President of Global Clinical Operations on January 22, 2024. Both Dr. Ernst and Mr. Tozzi and will be joining the ProKidney Executive Leadership Team.

Dr. Ernst has over 30 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry with a focus on process development, manufacturing and facility oversight, and supply chain operations in the cell space. Prior to ProKidney, he led process development, and manufacturing of complex therapeutics, including autologous cell therapies and antibody-drug conjugates. Dr. Ernst was Senior Vice President of Technical Operations at Iovance Biotherapeutics, Chief Operating Officer at Amunix Operating Inc., and Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Operations at Cytovance Biologics. Dr. Ernst earned his PhD in chemical engineering at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania.

“Dr. Ernst’s expertise in bringing complex process operations through to commercialization and his track record of gaining manufacturing facility approvals and new market authorizations will be invaluable as we progress our Phase 3 program and prepare for BLA submission,” said Dr. Bruce Culleton, Chief Executive Officer of ProKidney.

Mr. Tozzi also brings over 30 years of experience in international drug development and execution of clinical trials across multiple therapeutic categories. He oversaw design and implementation of over 75 Phase 1-4 clinical studies in more than 65 countries in a variety of clinical indications, including kidney disease. Prior to ProKidney, Mr. Tozzi was Senior Vice President and Head of Clinical Operations at Summit Therapeutics and Rain Oncology, and, prior to that, Vice President of Clinical Operations at Protagonist Therapeutics.