Iovance Biotherapeutics, a biotechnology company developing novel cancer immunotherapies based on tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) technology, announced the appointment of Timothy E. Morris as Chief Financial Officer of the company, effective August 14, 2017. Morris has over 30 years of strategic financial and operating experience in the biotechnology sector.

“We are very pleased to welcome Tim as CFO of Iovance during this time of rapid growth for the company,” said Maria Fardis, Ph.D., MBA, Chief Executive Officer of Iovance Biotherapeutics. “Tim has an impressive background and brings a wealth of financial and operational experience having held CFO positions for several publicly traded biotechnology companies over the past 22 years. In his prior roles, Tim was instrumental in raising approximately $1 billion in capital to support the ongoing development and commercial launch of multiple products. I look forward to working with him to advance the global development of our robust immuno-oncology pipeline based on our TIL technology.”

Prior to joining Iovance, Morris was most recently chief financial officer and head of business development for AcelRx Pharmaceuticals. Before that, Morris held the positions of chief financial officer and global head of corporate development at VIVUS and chief financial officer and senior vice president of finance, administration and manufacturing at Questcor Pharmaceuticals, both specialty pharmaceutical companies. He has extensive deal experience, having completed over 70 corporate transactions with a combined value in excess of $2 billion. Morris is a Certified Public Accountant, and holds a B.S. degree with an emphasis in accounting from California State University at Chico.

“I am honored to join Maria and the team at Iovance at this important juncture in the company’s history,” stated Timothy Morris. “Iovance has a unique immuno-oncology approach to treat solid tumors. I look forward to utilizing my past experiences to rapidly advance the company’s robust TIL technology pipeline and prepare for the commercialization of these therapies, which I believe can provide benefit to cancer patients worldwide.”