{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"114139","rtpr_id":"nGNX9mxvKC","ticker":"ERNA","exchange":"NASDAQ","all_tickers":["ERNA","RFL"],"title":"Ernexa Therapeutics Strengthens Board with Veteran Biotech Executive David Polinsky as Company Approaches Clinical Stage","author":"Globe Newswire","published_at":"2026-08-10T13:01:00.036Z","article_body":"Seasoned biotechnology founder, public company CFO and corporate strategist\nbrings more than 25 years of leadership in oncology, capital markets, M&A and\ncorporate governance \n\nAppointment further strengthens leadership team at a pivotal inflection point\nas Company positions ERNA-101 for planned IND submission in Q3 2026 and Phase\n1 clinical study initiation in the Q4 2026\n\nCAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ernexa Therapeutics\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=YVxdGS4jlgbb-a0a9veavdMWjqtkodP2SEBRx0KJcpie9z3H4gnl1h-l4XWm-dV0m3kbxninHHVM-VXlhQuSZyzd3YDsCEMI-ST0tGeJUwc=)\n(Nasdaq: ERNA), an industry innovator developing novel cell therapies for the\ntreatment of advanced cancer and autoimmune disease, today announced the\nappointment of David Polinsky to its Board of Directors, further strengthening\nthe Company's leadership team as it prepares to submit an Investigational New\nDrug (IND) application for its lead program, ERNA-101, in the third quarter of\n2026 and initiate its first Phase 1 clinical study in the fourth quarter of\n2026.\n\nMr. Polinsky is a biotechnology founder, public company Chief Financial\nOfficer and corporate attorney with more than 25 years of experience building,\nfinancing, governing and growing life sciences companies. He currently serves\nas Chief Financial Officer of Rafael Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: RFL), where he\noversees finance, legal, corporate strategy and governance for the publicly\ntraded life sciences company.\n\n\"We are entering one of the most important periods in Ernexa's history,\" said\nSanjeev Luther, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ernexa Therapeutics.\n\"Over the past year, we have continued to execute against the critical\nmilestones necessary to position ERNA-101 for clinical development, including\ngenerating compelling preclinical data, advancing manufacturing, preparing our\nIND submission and building the operational infrastructure required for a\nclinical-stage company. As we approach this pivotal transition, adding\nleaders, like David with extensive experience guiding biotechnology companies\nthrough value-creating inflection points becomes increasingly important.\"\n\nDr. James Bristol, Chairman of the Board, added \"David brings an exceptional\ncombination of public company leadership, capital markets expertise, corporate\ngovernance and biotech, including oncology, experience. Having helped build\nand finance biotechnology companies from early development through\nclinical-stage growth, he understands the opportunities and challenges that\naccompany Ernexa’s next chapter. We believe his experience will be\ninvaluable as we execute our strategy, evaluate future growth opportunities\nand continue building long-term value for both patients and shareholders.\"\n\nMr. Polinsky has played a key role in the growth and evolution of Rafael\nHoldings, where he has been part of leading finance, legal and corporate\nstrategy functions, including strategic transactions, capital allocation,\nmergers and acquisitions, SEC reporting, investor communications and board\ngovernance. He also helped establish Rafael Holdings as an independent\nNYSE-listed company following its 2018 spin-off and most recently helped lead\nthe company's 2025 merger with Cyclo Therapeutics and approximately $25\nmillion rights offering.\n\nPrior to Rafael Holdings, Mr. Polinsky co-founded Cornerstone Pharmaceuticals\n(formerly Rafael Pharmaceuticals), where he served in multiple executive\nleadership positions, including President, General Counsel and Secretary.\nDuring his tenure, he helped build the company from an early-stage\nbiotechnology startup into a clinical-stage oncology company, leading\ncorporate strategy, business development, intellectual property, licensing,\nfinancing and governance initiatives.\n\n\"I am honored to join Ernexa's Board of Directors at such an exciting and\ntransformational stage in the Company's evolution,\" said Mr. Polinsky. \"Ernexa\nhas established a differentiated cell therapy platform supported by compelling\nscientific data and is now approaching the important milestone of entering the\nclinic. The opportunity to help shape the Company's strategy as it transitions\ninto a clinical-stage biotechnology company as it advances ERNA-101 toward\npatients is incredibly exciting. I look forward to working alongside the Board\nand management team to help strengthen the Company's foundation, execute its\nstrategic priorities and create long-term value for shareholders.\"\n\nMr. Polinsky earned his Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law and\na Bachelor of Arts from Yeshiva University. He also holds the CFA Institute\nInvestment Foundations Certificate and has completed executive education\nprograms at MIT Sloan School of Management and Columbia Business School.\n\nFor more information about ERNA-101 and the Company’s development plans,\nvisit www.ernexatx.com\n\nAbout Ernexa Therapeutics\n\nErnexa Therapeutics (NASDAQ: ERNA) is developing innovative cell therapies for\nthe treatment of advanced cancer and autoimmune diseases. Ernexa’s core\ntechnology focuses on engineering induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and\ntransforming them into induced mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs). Ernexa’s\nallogeneic synthetic iMSCs provide a scalable, off-the-shelf treatment\nsolution, without needing patient-specific cell harvesting.\n\nERNA-101 is the company’s lead cell therapy product, designed to activate\nand regulate the immune system's response to recognize and attack cancer\ncells. ERNA-201 is a cell therapy product designed to target inflammation and\ntreat autoimmune disease. The company’s initial focus is to develop ERNA-101\nfor the treatment of ovarian cancer.\n\nFor more information, visit www.ernexatx.com.\n\nForward-Looking Statements\n\nThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of\nSection 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the\nSecurities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered\nby the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act\nof 1995. Forward-looking statements, in some cases, can be identified by terms\nsuch as \"believe,\" \"may,\" \"will,\" \"estimate,\" \"continue,\" \"anticipate,\"\n\"design,\" \"intend,\" \"expect,\" \"could,\" \"plan,\" \"potential,\" \"predict,\" \"seek,\"\n\"should,\" \"would,\" \"contemplate,\" \"project,\" \"target,\" \"objective,\" or the\nnegative version of these words and similar expressions. Forward-looking\nstatements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors\nthat may cause Ernexa's actual results, performance or achievements to be\nmaterially different from future results, performance or achievements\nexpressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this press release,\nincluding, without limitation, risks and uncertainties related to: progress\nand possible outcomes of the Company’s lead research project, ERNA-101, and\nfuture research projects. Forward-looking statements are based upon Ernexa's\ncurrent expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may\nprove to be incorrect. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified\nin their entirety by these cautionary statements. For a detailed description\nof Ernexa's risks and uncertainties, you are encouraged to review its\ndocuments filed with the SEC including its recent filings on Form 8-K, Form\n10-K and Form 10-Q. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on\nforward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were\nmade. Ernexa does not undertake any obligation to update the forward-looking\nstatements contained herein to reflect events that occur or circumstances that\nexist after the date hereof, except as required by applicable law.\n\nMedia Contact\nSharon Golubchik\nRAYNZ \nsharon@raynzhealth.com\n\nInvestor Contact\nJenene Thomas \nJTC Team, LLC\n(908) 824-0775\nERNA@jtcir.com\n\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bb12f9ec-b7e7-4d8c-92df-cf27e238c398)\n\n\n\nGlobeNewswire, Inc. 2026","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nGNX9mxvKC","title":"Ernexa Therapeutics Strengthens Board with Veteran Biotech Executive David Polinsky as Company Approaches Clinical Stage","author":"Globe Newswire","ticker":"ERNA","created":"2026-08-10T13:01:00.036Z","tickers":["ERNA","RFL"],"exchange":"NASDAQ","article_body":"Seasoned biotechnology founder, public company CFO and corporate strategist\nbrings more than 25 years of leadership in oncology, capital markets, M&A and\ncorporate governance \n\nAppointment further strengthens leadership team at a pivotal inflection point\nas Company positions ERNA-101 for planned IND submission in Q3 2026 and Phase\n1 clinical study initiation in the Q4 2026\n\nCAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ernexa Therapeutics\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=YVxdGS4jlgbb-a0a9veavdMWjqtkodP2SEBRx0KJcpie9z3H4gnl1h-l4XWm-dV0m3kbxninHHVM-VXlhQuSZyzd3YDsCEMI-ST0tGeJUwc=)\n(Nasdaq: ERNA), an industry innovator developing novel cell therapies for the\ntreatment of advanced cancer and autoimmune disease, today announced the\nappointment of David Polinsky to its Board of Directors, further strengthening\nthe Company's leadership team as it prepares to submit an Investigational New\nDrug (IND) application for its lead program, ERNA-101, in the third quarter of\n2026 and initiate its first Phase 1 clinical study in the fourth quarter of\n2026.\n\nMr. Polinsky is a biotechnology founder, public company Chief Financial\nOfficer and corporate attorney with more than 25 years of experience building,\nfinancing, governing and growing life sciences companies. He currently serves\nas Chief Financial Officer of Rafael Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: RFL), where he\noversees finance, legal, corporate strategy and governance for the publicly\ntraded life sciences company.\n\n\"We are entering one of the most important periods in Ernexa's history,\" said\nSanjeev Luther, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ernexa Therapeutics.\n\"Over the past year, we have continued to execute against the critical\nmilestones necessary to position ERNA-101 for clinical development, including\ngenerating compelling preclinical data, advancing manufacturing, preparing our\nIND submission and building the operational infrastructure required for a\nclinical-stage company. As we approach this pivotal transition, adding\nleaders, like David with extensive experience guiding biotechnology companies\nthrough value-creating inflection points becomes increasingly important.\"\n\nDr. James Bristol, Chairman of the Board, added \"David brings an exceptional\ncombination of public company leadership, capital markets expertise, corporate\ngovernance and biotech, including oncology, experience. Having helped build\nand finance biotechnology companies from early development through\nclinical-stage growth, he understands the opportunities and challenges that\naccompany Ernexa’s next chapter. We believe his experience will be\ninvaluable as we execute our strategy, evaluate future growth opportunities\nand continue building long-term value for both patients and shareholders.\"\n\nMr. Polinsky has played a key role in the growth and evolution of Rafael\nHoldings, where he has been part of leading finance, legal and corporate\nstrategy functions, including strategic transactions, capital allocation,\nmergers and acquisitions, SEC reporting, investor communications and board\ngovernance. He also helped establish Rafael Holdings as an independent\nNYSE-listed company following its 2018 spin-off and most recently helped lead\nthe company's 2025 merger with Cyclo Therapeutics and approximately $25\nmillion rights offering.\n\nPrior to Rafael Holdings, Mr. Polinsky co-founded Cornerstone Pharmaceuticals\n(formerly Rafael Pharmaceuticals), where he served in multiple executive\nleadership positions, including President, General Counsel and Secretary.\nDuring his tenure, he helped build the company from an early-stage\nbiotechnology startup into a clinical-stage oncology company, leading\ncorporate strategy, business development, intellectual property, licensing,\nfinancing and governance initiatives.\n\n\"I am honored to join Ernexa's Board of Directors at such an exciting and\ntransformational stage in the Company's evolution,\" said Mr. Polinsky. \"Ernexa\nhas established a differentiated cell therapy platform supported by compelling\nscientific data and is now approaching the important milestone of entering the\nclinic. The opportunity to help shape the Company's strategy as it transitions\ninto a clinical-stage biotechnology company as it advances ERNA-101 toward\npatients is incredibly exciting. I look forward to working alongside the Board\nand management team to help strengthen the Company's foundation, execute its\nstrategic priorities and create long-term value for shareholders.\"\n\nMr. Polinsky earned his Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law and\na Bachelor of Arts from Yeshiva University. He also holds the CFA Institute\nInvestment Foundations Certificate and has completed executive education\nprograms at MIT Sloan School of Management and Columbia Business School.\n\nFor more information about ERNA-101 and the Company’s development plans,\nvisit www.ernexatx.com\n\nAbout Ernexa Therapeutics\n\nErnexa Therapeutics (NASDAQ: ERNA) is developing innovative cell therapies for\nthe treatment of advanced cancer and autoimmune diseases. Ernexa’s core\ntechnology focuses on engineering induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and\ntransforming them into induced mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs). Ernexa’s\nallogeneic synthetic iMSCs provide a scalable, off-the-shelf treatment\nsolution, without needing patient-specific cell harvesting.\n\nERNA-101 is the company’s lead cell therapy product, designed to activate\nand regulate the immune system's response to recognize and attack cancer\ncells. ERNA-201 is a cell therapy product designed to target inflammation and\ntreat autoimmune disease. The company’s initial focus is to develop ERNA-101\nfor the treatment of ovarian cancer.\n\nFor more information, visit www.ernexatx.com.\n\nForward-Looking Statements\n\nThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of\nSection 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the\nSecurities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered\nby the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act\nof 1995. Forward-looking statements, in some cases, can be identified by terms\nsuch as \"believe,\" \"may,\" \"will,\" \"estimate,\" \"continue,\" \"anticipate,\"\n\"design,\" \"intend,\" \"expect,\" \"could,\" \"plan,\" \"potential,\" \"predict,\" \"seek,\"\n\"should,\" \"would,\" \"contemplate,\" \"project,\" \"target,\" \"objective,\" or the\nnegative version of these words and similar expressions. Forward-looking\nstatements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors\nthat may cause Ernexa's actual results, performance or achievements to be\nmaterially different from future results, performance or achievements\nexpressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this press release,\nincluding, without limitation, risks and uncertainties related to: progress\nand possible outcomes of the Company’s lead research project, ERNA-101, and\nfuture research projects. Forward-looking statements are based upon Ernexa's\ncurrent expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may\nprove to be incorrect. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified\nin their entirety by these cautionary statements. For a detailed description\nof Ernexa's risks and uncertainties, you are encouraged to review its\ndocuments filed with the SEC including its recent filings on Form 8-K, Form\n10-K and Form 10-Q. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on\nforward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were\nmade. Ernexa does not undertake any obligation to update the forward-looking\nstatements contained herein to reflect events that occur or circumstances that\nexist after the date hereof, except as required by applicable law.\n\nMedia Contact\nSharon Golubchik\nRAYNZ \nsharon@raynzhealth.com\n\nInvestor Contact\nJenene Thomas \nJTC Team, LLC\n(908) 824-0775\nERNA@jtcir.com\n\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bb12f9ec-b7e7-4d8c-92df-cf27e238c398)\n\n\n\nGlobeNewswire, Inc. 2026"},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-08-10T13:01:00.09022307Z","server_sent_at_ms":1786366860090},"received_at":"2026-08-10T13:01:00.143Z","source_url":"https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/08/10/3341879/0/en/ernexa-therapeutics-strengthens-board-with-veteran-biotech-executive-david-polinsky-as-company-approaches-clinical-stage.html"},"analysis":{"id":"103140","press_release_id":"114139","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Biotechnology","sector":"Health Care"},"redFlags":[],"eventType":"board_change","narrative":"Ernexa Therapeutics appointed David Polinsky to its Board of Directors, adding 25 years of biotech leadership and capital markets expertise.\n\nPolinsky currently serves as CFO of Rafael Holdings and co-founded Cornerstone Pharmaceuticals, bringing significant experience in corporate strategy and governance.\n\nThe company remains on track to submit an IND for its lead asset ERNA-101 in Q3 2026 and initiate a Phase 1 study in Q4 2026.","sentiment":"bullish","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":false,"suggestedAngle":"Board bolstered with capital markets expertise ahead of ERNA-101 clinical entry."},"keyFigures":{"customDimensions":{"ind_submission_timeline":"Q3 2026","polinsky_experience_years":25,"phase1_initiation_timeline":"Q4 2026"}},"quotedText":"I am honored to join Ernexa's Board of Directors at such an exciting and transformational stage in the Company's evolution","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"David Polinsky","role":"Board of Directors"},{"name":"Sanjeev Luther","role":"President and Chief Executive Officer"},{"name":"Dr. James Bristol","role":"Chairman of the Board"}],"products":["ERNA-101","ERNA-201","iPSCs","iMSCs"],"companies":[{"name":"Ernexa Therapeutics","ticker":"ERNA"},{"name":"Rafael Holdings, Inc.","ticker":"RFL","relationship":"employer of new board member"},{"name":"Cornerstone Pharmaceuticals","relationship":"former employer of new board member"},{"name":"Cyclo Therapeutics","relationship":"merged with Rafael Holdings"}],"dollarAmounts":[{"amount":"$25 million","context":"Rafael Holdings rights offering"}]},"materialImpact":{"score":2,"reasoning":"Appointment of a seasoned biotech executive and CFO strengthens the board as the company transitions to clinical stage, but remains a governance enhancement rather than a fundamental business shift."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[{"ticker":"RFL","relevance":"mentioned"}],"primary":"ERNA"},"globalImportance":12,"audienceRelevance":12,"eventTypeSecondary":["operations_update"],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"pre-revenue_biotech","eventGravity":"board_appointment","sectorWeight":"biotech_clinical_transition"}},"event_type":"board_change","event_type_secondary":["operations_update"],"sentiment":"bullish","material_impact_score":2,"narrative":"Ernexa Therapeutics appointed David Polinsky to its Board of Directors, adding 25 years of biotech leadership and capital markets expertise.\n\nPolinsky currently serves as CFO of Rafael Holdings and co-founded Cornerstone Pharmaceuticals, bringing significant experience in corporate strategy and governance.\n\nThe company remains on track to submit an IND for its lead asset ERNA-101 in Q3 2026 and initiate a Phase 1 study in Q4 2026.","key_figures":{"customDimensions":{"ind_submission_timeline":"Q3 2026","polinsky_experience_years":25,"phase1_initiation_timeline":"Q4 2026"}},"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"David Polinsky","role":"Board of Directors"},{"name":"Sanjeev Luther","role":"President and Chief Executive Officer"},{"name":"Dr. James Bristol","role":"Chairman of the Board"}],"products":["ERNA-101","ERNA-201","iPSCs","iMSCs"],"companies":[{"name":"Ernexa Therapeutics","ticker":"ERNA"},{"name":"Rafael Holdings, Inc.","ticker":"RFL","relationship":"employer of new board member"},{"name":"Cornerstone Pharmaceuticals","relationship":"former employer of new board member"},{"name":"Cyclo Therapeutics","relationship":"merged with Rafael Holdings"}],"dollarAmounts":[{"amount":"$25 million","context":"Rafael Holdings rights offering"}]},"model_name":"glm-4.7","prompt_hash":"sha256:727b4b9429a443af","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-08-10T18:11:05.444Z","global_importance":12,"audience_relevance":12,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"pre-revenue_biotech","eventGravity":"board_appointment","sectorWeight":"biotech_clinical_transition"}},"durationMs":98101,"modelName":"glm-4.7"}}