{"id":367284,"date":"2025-05-20T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dailybanglanewspapers.com\/news\/veraxa-biotech-appoints-rick-austin-as-chief-scientific-officer\/"},"modified":"2025-05-20T05:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T05:00:00","slug":"veraxa-biotech-appoints-rick-austin-as-chief-scientific-officer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailybanglanewspapers.com\/news\/veraxa-biotech-appoints-rick-austin-as-chief-scientific-officer\/","title":{"rendered":"VERAXA Biotech Appoints Rick Austin as Chief Scientific Officer"},"content":{"rendered":"

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VERAXA Biotech AG<\/a> (\u201cVERAXA\u201d), an emerging leader in designing novel cancer therapies and proposed de-SPAC acquisition target of\u00a0Voyager Acquisition Corp.<\/a> (NASDAQ:VACH, \u201cVoyager\u201d), announced today the appointment of Rick Austin, Ph.D. as Chief Scientific Officer, effective May 1st<\/sup>. Dr. Austin brings more than 25 years of leadership across oncology discovery and early development and will play a key role In advancing VERAXA’s BiTACTM<\/sup> platform and clinical-stage pipeline.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Austin’s appointment comes at a transformative period for VERAXA and I\u2019m looking forward to working with him as we enter the next phase in VERAXA\u2019s journey,\u201d commented Christoph Antz, Ph.D., CEO and Co-Founder of VERAXA. \u201cRick\u2019s extensive expertise in oncology drug development, combined with his deep ties to the U.S. biopharma ecosystem, will be instrumental progressing our lead programs into the clinic, in tapping into the rich U.S.-based talent pool, and expanding our scientific footprint.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Austin previously served as Vice President, Research at Harpoon Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on T-cell engagers (acquired by Merck in 2024). Prior to Harpoon, Dr. Austin held multiple positions at Amgen and Tularik (acquired by Amgen in 2004), where he led tumor immunology projects using BiTE\u00ae technology to target multiple myeloma and ovarian cancers. Prior to Amgen and Tularik, he served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Throughout his career, Dr. Austin enabled numerous IND filings and first-in-human studies. He is also an inventor on 12 issued patents and has authored more than 25 peer-reviewed research publications. Dr. Austin earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry at Yale University.<\/p>\n

\u201cI look forward to joining VERAXA to help deliver a pipeline of efficacious cancer treatments with enhanced safety profiles,\u201d said Rick Austin. \u201cVERAXA\u2019s innovative BiTAC platform represents a powerful approach to expanding the therapeutic window of both antibody drug conjugates and T-cell engagers to minimize off-tumor toxicity while enhancing anti-tumor activity.\u201d<\/p>\n

About VERAXA Biotech<\/strong><\/p>\n

At VERAXA, we are building a premier engine for the discovery and development of next-generation antibody-based therapeutics, including bispecific ADCs, bispecific T cell engagers and other innovative formats. Powered by a suite of transformative technologies and guided by rigorous quality-by-design principles, we are rapidly advancing our pipeline of ADCs and proprietary BiTAC formats into clinical development and beyond. VERAXA was founded on scientific breakthroughs made at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, a world-renowned institution known for pioneering life science research and cutting-edge technologies. For more information, please visit www.veraxa.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On April 22, 2025, VERAXA entered into a definitive business combination agreement (the “Business Combination Agreement”) with Voyager Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company and special purpose acquisition company targeting the healthcare sector (NASDAQ: VACH, “Voyager”). Upon closing of the Business Combination Agreement, VERAXA is expected to become a publicly traded company listed on NASDAQ.<\/p>\n

About Voyager Acquisition Corp.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Voyager is a special purpose acquisition company with a bold mission: to revolutionize the healthcare sector through a merger, stock purchase, or business combination. Our team of experienced executives includes unparalleled expertise in investing, operations, and medical innovation, supported by a vast network of connections. With these strengths, we not only seek to drive success but commit to scaling companies to unprecedented heights in the healthcare industry. For more information, please visit https:\/\/www.voyageracq.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Participants In the Solicitation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Voyager, VERAXA, and their respective directors, executive officers, other members of management and employees may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from Voyager\u2019s stockholders with respect to the Business Combination. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names and interests in the Business Combination of Voyager\u2019s directors and officers in Voyager\u2019s filings with the SEC, including, when filed with the SEC, the preliminary proxy statement\/prospectus, the definitive proxy statement\/prospectus, amendments and supplements thereto, and other documents filed with the SEC. Such information with respect to VERAXA\u2019s directors and executive officers will also be included in the proxy statement\/prospectus. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described below under the heading “Additional Information and Where to Find It”.<\/p>\n

Non-Solicitation<\/strong><\/p>\n

This press release is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the potential transaction and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of Voyager or VERAXA, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.<\/p>\n

Forward-Looking Statements<\/strong><\/p>\n

This press release includes certain statements that may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements about future events or Voyager\u2019s or VERAXA\u2019s future financial or operating performance. For example, statements regarding VERAXA\u2019s anticipated growth and the anticipated growth and other metrics, statements regarding the benefits of the Business Combination, and the anticipated timing of the completion of the Business Combination are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as \u201cmay,\u201d \u201cshould,\u201d \u201ccould,\u201d \u201cmight,\u201d \u201cplan,\u201d \u201cpossible,\u201d \u201cproject,\u201d \u201cstrive,\u201d \u201cbudget,\u201d \u201cforecast,\u201d \u201cexpect,\u201d \u201cintend,\u201d \u201cwill,\u201d \u201cestimate,\u201d \u201canticipate,\u201d \u201cbelieve,\u201d \u201cpredict,\u201d \u201cpotential\u201d or \u201ccontinue,\u201d or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology.<\/p>\n

These forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future results of Voyager and VERAXA are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about the industry in which VERAXA operates, as well as the beliefs and assumptions of Voyager\u2019s management and VERAXA\u2019s management. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to, without limitation, (i) known and unknown risks, including the risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the final prospectus of Voyager relating to its initial public offering filed with the SEC, including those under \u201cRisk Factors\u201d therein, and other documents filed or to be filed with the SEC by Voyager; (ii) uncertainties; (iii) assumptions; and (iv) other factors beyond Voyager\u2019s or VERAXA\u2019s control that are difficult to predict because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. They are neither statements of historical fact nor promises or guarantees of future performance. Therefore, VERAXA\u2019s actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements and Voyager and VERAXA therefore caution against relying on any of these forward-looking statements.<\/p>\n

These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Voyager and its management, VERAXA and its management, as the case may be, are inherently uncertain and are inherently subject to risks,\u00a0variability and contingencies, many of which are beyond Voyager\u2019s or VERAXA\u2019s control. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: (i)\u00a0the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination Agreement and any subsequent definitive agreements with respect to the Business Combination; (ii)\u00a0the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Voyager, VERAXA, or others following the announcement of the Business Combination and any definitive agreements with respect thereto; (iii)\u00a0the inability to complete the Business Combination due to the failure to obtain consents and approvals of the shareholders of Voyager, to obtain financing to complete the Business Combination or to satisfy other conditions to closing, or delays in obtaining, adverse conditions contained in, or the inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals required to complete the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement; (iv)\u00a0changes to the proposed structure of the Business Combination that may be required or appropriate as a result of applicable laws or regulations or as a condition to obtaining regulatory approval of the Business Combination; (v)\u00a0projections, estimates and forecasts of revenue and other financial and performance metrics, projections of market opportunity and expectations, and the estimated implied enterprise value of VERAXA; (vi)\u00a0VERAXA\u2019s ability to scale and grow its business, and the advantages and expected growth of VERAXA; (vii)\u00a0VERAXA\u2019s ability to source and retain talent, the cash position of VERAXA following closing of the Business Combination; (viii)\u00a0the ability to meet stock exchange listing standards in connection with, and following, the consummation of the Business Combination; (ix)\u00a0the risk that the Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations of VERAXA as a result of the announcement and consummation of the Business Combination; (x)\u00a0the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of VERAXA to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain key relationships and retain its management and key employees; (xi)\u00a0costs related to the Business Combination; (xii)\u00a0changes in applicable laws, regulations, political and economic developments; (xiii)\u00a0the possibility that VERAXA may be adversely affected by other economic, business and\/or competitive factors; (xiv)\u00a0VERAXA\u2019s estimates of expenses and profitability; (xv)\u00a0the failure to realize estimated shareholder redemptions, purchase price and other adjustments; and (xvi)\u00a0other risks and uncertainties set forth in the filings by Voyager with the SEC. There may be additional risks that neither Voyager nor VERAXA presently know or that Voyager and VERAXA currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of Voyager or VERAXA speak only as of the date they are made. None of Voyager or VERAXA undertakes any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect any changes in their respective expectations with regard thereto or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.<\/p>\n

Additional Information and Where to Find It<\/strong><\/p>\n

In connection with the Business Combination Agreement, Voyager and\/or VERAXA intend to file relevant materials with the SEC, including the Registration Statement, which will include a proxy statement\/prospectus of Voyager, and will file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC. This communication is not intended to be, and is not, a substitute for the proxy statement\/prospectus or any other document that Voyager has filed or may file with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction. When available, the definitive proxy statement and other relevant materials for the proposed transaction will be mailed or made available to stockholders of Voyager as of a record date to be established for voting on the proposed transaction.<\/p>\n

Before making any voting or investment decision, investors and stockholders of Voyager are urged to carefully read, when they become available, the entire registration statement, the proxy statement\/prospectus, and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments or supplements to these documents, and the documents incorporated by reference therein, because they will contain important information about Voyager, VERAXA, and the proposed transaction<\/strong>.\u00a0Voyager\u2019s investors and stockholders and other interested persons will also be able to obtain copies of the registration statement, the preliminary proxy statement\/prospectus, the definitive proxy statement\/prospectus, other documents filed with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference therein, and all other relevant documents filed with the SEC by Voyager in connection with the Transaction, without charge, once available, at the SEC\u2019s website at\u00a0www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to Voyager at the address set forth below.<\/p>\n

Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n

BiTAC is a trademark of VERAXA Biotech AG.<\/p>\n

BITE is a registered trademark of AMGEN Research (Munich) GmbH.<\/p>\n