{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"160539","rtpr_id":"nACS08WtDa-20261005","ticker":"VBIO","exchange":"NASDAQ","all_tickers":["VBIO"],"title":"New Valion Bio Board Chair Thomas Jensen Brings Biotech Turnaround Experience to the Advancement of Entolimod","author":"ACCESSWIRE","published_at":"2026-10-05T12:30:00.780Z","article_body":"SAN ANTONIO, TX / ACCESS Newswire (https://www.accessnewswire.com/) / October\n5, 2026 / Valion Bio, Inc. (NASDAQ:VBIO) (\"Valion\" or the \"Company\"), a\nclinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing biologics that activate\ninnate immune pathways for cytoprotection and immune modulation, today\noutlined the perspectives of its new Board Chair, Thomas H. Jensen, on\nadvancing Entolimod. Entolimod is an investigational Toll-like receptor 5\n(TLR5) agonist being developed as a potential medical countermeasure for acute\nradiation syndrome (ARS). Jensen brings more than 20 years of biotechnology\nand oncology experience and is CEO and a Director of Nasdaq-listed Allarity\nTherapeutics, Inc.\n\n\"A biotech company's prospects depend equally on the promise of its drug\ncandidate and its ability to execute,\" said Jensen. \"Having led Allarity\nthrough strategic change, I appreciate the significance of Valion's own\ntransformation earlier this year, and I see many of the key elements for\nsuccess already in place.\"\n\nEntolimod's development has been supported by approximately $35.6 million in\nnon-dilutive funding from several U.S. government agencies, and the program\nholds FDA Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations for ARS. It is also backed\nby a substantial body of human safety data and by supply chain control through\nValion's wholly owned U.S.-based CDMO, Velocity Bioworks. To the Company's\nknowledge, there is no FDA-approved treatment for gastrointestinal ARS.\n\n\"The absence of an approved treatment for gastrointestinal ARS makes\nEntolimod's potential especially significant,\" Jensen said. \"Longer term, I\nsee an important opportunity in exploring whether the same molecule could\naddress needs in cancer supportive care, where I can draw on my background in\noncology diagnostics and drug development.\"\n\nSince becoming Allarity's CEO in December 2023, Jensen has simplified its\ncapital structure, streamlined the organization and reduced costs while\nconcentrating resources on its lead candidate, stenoparib. During that time,\nAllarity has advanced its Phase 2 ovarian cancer program, received FDA Fast\nTrack designation for stenoparib, strengthened its intellectual property\nposition and secured drug supply for later-stage development.\n\nAs Chair, Jensen is working with Interim CEO Dean Zikria, President, COO and\nCFO Lisa Wolf, and the Board to align Valion's strategic priorities with\nexecution.\n\n\"I have rarely seen a company at this stage with such a substantial\nscientific, clinical and operational foundation,\" Jensen said. \"Our task now\nis to build on it with a clear sequence of achievable milestones and\ndisciplined allocation of resources to reach them.\"\n\nAbout Thomas H. Jensen\n\nThomas H. Jensen has served as Chair of Valion Bio's Board since September\n2026. He co-founded Allarity Therapeutics in 2004 and has been a Director\nsince July 2022. His prior roles at Allarity include Chief Technology Officer,\nSVP of Information Technology and SVP of Investor Relations. He established\nAllarity's laboratory operations in Denmark. His work in reproducible RNA\nextraction and processing for cancer biopsy analysis helped lay the foundation\nfor Allarity's proprietary Drug Response Predictor (DRP®) platform. He holds\na B.S. in Biology from the Technical University of Denmark and pursued further\nstudies at the University of Copenhagen.\n\nAbout Valion Bio, Inc.\n\nValion Bio, Inc. (NASDAQ:VBIO) is developing biologics that activate innate\nimmune pathways for cytoprotection and modulate immune responses in conditions\ndriven by radiation, disease and immune dysregulation.\n\nThe Company's lead candidate, Entolimod, is being developed as a potential\nmedical countermeasure for Acute Radiation Syndrome and has been evaluated in\nanimal models under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (\"FDA\") Animal\nRule, which allows the Agency to approve new drugs and biological products\nbased on animal efficacy studies when human clinical trials are not ethical or\nfeasible, such as in the case of acute radiation exposure. Entolimod is a\nnovel Toll-like Receptor 5 agonist designed to activate NF-κB signaling\npathways associated with cellular protection, tissue recovery and immune\nresponse. The product candidate has received Fast Track and Orphan Drug\ndesignations from the FDA.\n\nValion is also advancing Entolasta, a next-generation TLR5 agonist designed\nfor potential use in broader therapeutic applications, including oncology\nsupportive care. The Company's pipeline includes potential programs in\nneutropenia and immune dysfunction.\n\nValion's wholly owned subsidiary, Velocity Bioworks, is a biologics contract\ndevelopment and manufacturing organization providing development and\nmanufacturing services to Valion to support its internal pipeline, with the\nobjective of increasing manufacturing control, reducing costs, accelerating\ndevelopment timelines and strengthening domestic supply-chain security.\n\nFor more information, visit www.valionbio.com.\n\nForward-Looking Statements\n\nThis press release may contain \"forward-looking statements\" that are subject\nto substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements\nof historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking\nstatements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be\nidentified by the use of words such as \"anticipate,\" \"believe,\" \"contemplate,\"\n\"could,\" \"estimate,\" \"expect,\" \"intend,\" \"seek,\" \"may,\" \"might,\" \"plan,\"\n\"potential,\" \"predict,\" \"project,\" \"target,\" \"aim,\" \"should,\" \"will\" \"would,\"\nor the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all\nforward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are\nbased on Valion's current expectations and are subject to inherent\nuncertainties, risks, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further,\ncertain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future\nevents that may not prove to be accurate. Actual results could differ\nmaterially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result\nof various factors, including, without limitation: the continued listing of\nthe Company's common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market; and the Company's\nability to maintain compliance with applicable listing standards on the Nasdaq\nCapital Market. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to\nplace undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. For a discussion of\nother risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could\ncause Valion's actual results to differ from those contained in the\nforward-looking statements, see Valion's filings with the SEC, including, its\nAnnual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with\nthe SEC on March 30, 2026, under the heading \"Risk Factors\"; as well as the\nCompany's subsequent filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements\ncontained in this press release are made as of this date, and Valion\nundertakes no duty to update such information except as required by applicable\nlaw.\n\nInvestor and Media Contact\nStephen Kilmer\n(646) 274-3580\nstephen.kilmer@valionbio.com\n\nSOURCE: Valion Bio, Inc.\nView the original press release\n(https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/new-valion-bio-board-chair-thomas-jensen-brings-biotech-turnaround-ex-1232621)\non ACCESS Newswire\n\n\nCopyright 2026 ACCESS Newswire. All Rights Reserved.","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nACS08WtDa-20261005","title":"New Valion Bio Board Chair Thomas Jensen Brings Biotech Turnaround Experience to the Advancement of Entolimod","author":"ACCESSWIRE","ticker":"VBIO","created":"2026-10-05T12:30:00.780Z","tickers":["VBIO"],"exchange":"NASDAQ","article_body":"SAN ANTONIO, TX / ACCESS Newswire (https://www.accessnewswire.com/) / October\n5, 2026 / Valion Bio, Inc. (NASDAQ:VBIO) (\"Valion\" or the \"Company\"), a\nclinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing biologics that activate\ninnate immune pathways for cytoprotection and immune modulation, today\noutlined the perspectives of its new Board Chair, Thomas H. Jensen, on\nadvancing Entolimod. Entolimod is an investigational Toll-like receptor 5\n(TLR5) agonist being developed as a potential medical countermeasure for acute\nradiation syndrome (ARS). Jensen brings more than 20 years of biotechnology\nand oncology experience and is CEO and a Director of Nasdaq-listed Allarity\nTherapeutics, Inc.\n\n\"A biotech company's prospects depend equally on the promise of its drug\ncandidate and its ability to execute,\" said Jensen. \"Having led Allarity\nthrough strategic change, I appreciate the significance of Valion's own\ntransformation earlier this year, and I see many of the key elements for\nsuccess already in place.\"\n\nEntolimod's development has been supported by approximately $35.6 million in\nnon-dilutive funding from several U.S. government agencies, and the program\nholds FDA Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations for ARS. It is also backed\nby a substantial body of human safety data and by supply chain control through\nValion's wholly owned U.S.-based CDMO, Velocity Bioworks. To the Company's\nknowledge, there is no FDA-approved treatment for gastrointestinal ARS.\n\n\"The absence of an approved treatment for gastrointestinal ARS makes\nEntolimod's potential especially significant,\" Jensen said. \"Longer term, I\nsee an important opportunity in exploring whether the same molecule could\naddress needs in cancer supportive care, where I can draw on my background in\noncology diagnostics and drug development.\"\n\nSince becoming Allarity's CEO in December 2023, Jensen has simplified its\ncapital structure, streamlined the organization and reduced costs while\nconcentrating resources on its lead candidate, stenoparib. During that time,\nAllarity has advanced its Phase 2 ovarian cancer program, received FDA Fast\nTrack designation for stenoparib, strengthened its intellectual property\nposition and secured drug supply for later-stage development.\n\nAs Chair, Jensen is working with Interim CEO Dean Zikria, President, COO and\nCFO Lisa Wolf, and the Board to align Valion's strategic priorities with\nexecution.\n\n\"I have rarely seen a company at this stage with such a substantial\nscientific, clinical and operational foundation,\" Jensen said. \"Our task now\nis to build on it with a clear sequence of achievable milestones and\ndisciplined allocation of resources to reach them.\"\n\nAbout Thomas H. Jensen\n\nThomas H. Jensen has served as Chair of Valion Bio's Board since September\n2026. He co-founded Allarity Therapeutics in 2004 and has been a Director\nsince July 2022. His prior roles at Allarity include Chief Technology Officer,\nSVP of Information Technology and SVP of Investor Relations. He established\nAllarity's laboratory operations in Denmark. His work in reproducible RNA\nextraction and processing for cancer biopsy analysis helped lay the foundation\nfor Allarity's proprietary Drug Response Predictor (DRP®) platform. He holds\na B.S. in Biology from the Technical University of Denmark and pursued further\nstudies at the University of Copenhagen.\n\nAbout Valion Bio, Inc.\n\nValion Bio, Inc. (NASDAQ:VBIO) is developing biologics that activate innate\nimmune pathways for cytoprotection and modulate immune responses in conditions\ndriven by radiation, disease and immune dysregulation.\n\nThe Company's lead candidate, Entolimod, is being developed as a potential\nmedical countermeasure for Acute Radiation Syndrome and has been evaluated in\nanimal models under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (\"FDA\") Animal\nRule, which allows the Agency to approve new drugs and biological products\nbased on animal efficacy studies when human clinical trials are not ethical or\nfeasible, such as in the case of acute radiation exposure. Entolimod is a\nnovel Toll-like Receptor 5 agonist designed to activate NF-κB signaling\npathways associated with cellular protection, tissue recovery and immune\nresponse. The product candidate has received Fast Track and Orphan Drug\ndesignations from the FDA.\n\nValion is also advancing Entolasta, a next-generation TLR5 agonist designed\nfor potential use in broader therapeutic applications, including oncology\nsupportive care. The Company's pipeline includes potential programs in\nneutropenia and immune dysfunction.\n\nValion's wholly owned subsidiary, Velocity Bioworks, is a biologics contract\ndevelopment and manufacturing organization providing development and\nmanufacturing services to Valion to support its internal pipeline, with the\nobjective of increasing manufacturing control, reducing costs, accelerating\ndevelopment timelines and strengthening domestic supply-chain security.\n\nFor more information, visit www.valionbio.com.\n\nForward-Looking Statements\n\nThis press release may contain \"forward-looking statements\" that are subject\nto substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements\nof historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking\nstatements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be\nidentified by the use of words such as \"anticipate,\" \"believe,\" \"contemplate,\"\n\"could,\" \"estimate,\" \"expect,\" \"intend,\" \"seek,\" \"may,\" \"might,\" \"plan,\"\n\"potential,\" \"predict,\" \"project,\" \"target,\" \"aim,\" \"should,\" \"will\" \"would,\"\nor the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all\nforward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are\nbased on Valion's current expectations and are subject to inherent\nuncertainties, risks, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further,\ncertain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future\nevents that may not prove to be accurate. Actual results could differ\nmaterially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result\nof various factors, including, without limitation: the continued listing of\nthe Company's common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market; and the Company's\nability to maintain compliance with applicable listing standards on the Nasdaq\nCapital Market. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to\nplace undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. For a discussion of\nother risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could\ncause Valion's actual results to differ from those contained in the\nforward-looking statements, see Valion's filings with the SEC, including, its\nAnnual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with\nthe SEC on March 30, 2026, under the heading \"Risk Factors\"; as well as the\nCompany's subsequent filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements\ncontained in this press release are made as of this date, and Valion\nundertakes no duty to update such information except as required by applicable\nlaw.\n\nInvestor and Media Contact\nStephen Kilmer\n(646) 274-3580\nstephen.kilmer@valionbio.com\n\nSOURCE: Valion Bio, Inc.\nView the original press release\n(https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/new-valion-bio-board-chair-thomas-jensen-brings-biotech-turnaround-ex-1232621)\non ACCESS Newswire\n\n\nCopyright 2026 ACCESS Newswire. All Rights Reserved."},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-10-05T12:30:00.859878343Z","server_sent_at_ms":1791203400859},"received_at":"2026-10-05T12:30:00.910Z","source_url":"https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/new-valion-bio-board-chair-thomas-jensen-brings-biotech-turnaround-ex-1232621"},"analysis":{"id":"149103","press_release_id":"160539","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Biotechnology","sector":"Health Care"},"redFlags":["Interim CEO still in place — leadership instability","Forward-looking statements cite risk to continued Nasdaq listing compliance"],"eventType":"board_change","narrative":"Valion Bio highlighted the perspectives of new Board Chair Thomas H. Jensen on advancing Entolimod, a TLR5 agonist in development as a medical countermeasure for acute radiation syndrome.\n\nThe release notes roughly $35.6 million in non-dilutive U.S. government funding, FDA Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations, and supply-chain control via its wholly owned CDMO Velocity Bioworks.\n\nJensen, CEO of Allarity Therapeutics, is working with Interim CEO Dean Zikria and President/COO/CFO Lisa Wolf on milestone sequencing; no new clinical data or specific guidance was announced.","sentiment":"neutral","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":false,"suggestedAngle":"New turnaround-oriented board chair signals strategic reset at clinical-stage micro-cap; watch for concrete milestones."},"keyFigures":{"customDimensions":{"nondilutive_funding":"$35.6 million"}},"quotedText":"Our task now is to build on it with a clear sequence of achievable milestones and disciplined allocation of resources to reach them.","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"Thomas H. Jensen","role":"Board Chair of Valion Bio; CEO and Director of Allarity Therapeutics"},{"name":"Dean Zikria","role":"Interim CEO of Valion Bio"},{"name":"Lisa Wolf","role":"President, COO and CFO of Valion Bio"},{"name":"Stephen Kilmer","role":"Investor and Media Contact"}],"products":["Entolimod","Entolasta","stenoparib","Drug Response Predictor (DRP)"],"companies":[{"name":"Valion Bio, Inc.","ticker":"VBIO","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"Allarity Therapeutics, Inc.","relationship":"board chair's other company"},{"name":"Velocity Bioworks","relationship":"wholly owned CDMO subsidiary"}],"dollarAmounts":[{"amount":"$35.6 million","context":"non-dilutive U.S. government funding supporting Entolimod development"}]},"materialImpact":{"score":2,"reasoning":"Promotional profile of a board chair appointed in September 2026; no new clinical, financial, or regulatory data disclosed. Provides strategic color on Entolimod but no concrete milestone."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[],"primary":"VBIO"},"globalImportance":12,"audienceRelevance":8,"eventTypeSecondary":[],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"micro-cap","eventGravity":"board-profile-PR","issuerAuthored":true}},"event_type":"board_change","event_type_secondary":null,"sentiment":"neutral","material_impact_score":2,"narrative":"Valion Bio highlighted the perspectives of new Board Chair Thomas H. Jensen on advancing Entolimod, a TLR5 agonist in development as a medical countermeasure for acute radiation syndrome.\n\nThe release notes roughly $35.6 million in non-dilutive U.S. government funding, FDA Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations, and supply-chain control via its wholly owned CDMO Velocity Bioworks.\n\nJensen, CEO of Allarity Therapeutics, is working with Interim CEO Dean Zikria and President/COO/CFO Lisa Wolf on milestone sequencing; no new clinical data or specific guidance was announced.","key_figures":{"customDimensions":{"nondilutive_funding":"$35.6 million"}},"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"Thomas H. Jensen","role":"Board Chair of Valion Bio; CEO and Director of Allarity Therapeutics"},{"name":"Dean Zikria","role":"Interim CEO of Valion Bio"},{"name":"Lisa Wolf","role":"President, COO and CFO of Valion Bio"},{"name":"Stephen Kilmer","role":"Investor and Media Contact"}],"products":["Entolimod","Entolasta","stenoparib","Drug Response Predictor (DRP)"],"companies":[{"name":"Valion Bio, Inc.","ticker":"VBIO","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"Allarity Therapeutics, Inc.","relationship":"board chair's other company"},{"name":"Velocity Bioworks","relationship":"wholly owned CDMO subsidiary"}],"dollarAmounts":[{"amount":"$35.6 million","context":"non-dilutive U.S. government funding supporting Entolimod development"}]},"model_name":"glm-5.3-flashx","prompt_hash":"sha256:727b4b9429a443af","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-10-05T12:30:19.628Z","global_importance":12,"audience_relevance":8,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"micro-cap","eventGravity":"board-profile-PR","issuerAuthored":true}},"durationMs":6574,"modelName":"glm-5.3-flashx"}}