Iovance Biotherapeutics, a biotechnology company developing novel cancer immunotherapies based on tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) technology, changed its corporate name from Lion Biotechnologies to Iovance Biotherapeutics. The company’s new NASDAQ ticker symbol “IOVA” will be effective at the open of the market on June 28, 2017. The former ticker symbol “LBIO” will remain effective through the market close today, June 27, 2017. The new website for Iovance Biotherapeutics is www.iovance.com.

“Our new name better represents our leadership in the field of immuno-oncology and reflects the strong progress we have made since we laid out our revised business plan last year. Our robust pipeline based on our TIL technology, partnerships with leading institutions and strides in manufacturing demonstrates our commitment to rapidly developing therapies that will change the lives of patients with solid tumors,” said Dr. Maria Fardis, Ph.D., MBA, chief executive officer of Iovance Biotherapeutics.

As the company prepares to expand its clinical trials into Europe, with a planned submission to European health authorities in the second half of 2017, this name change allows the company the opportunity to develop a strong and unique global brand that reflects the recent advancements in evaluating TIL therapy in new indications.

Iovance Biotherapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of cancer immunotherapy products for the treatment of various cancers. The company's lead product candidate is an adoptive cell therapy using tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) technology being investigated for the treatment of patients with refractory metastatic melanoma, metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and metastatic cervical carcinoma.