VACCINEX Business Summary

Vaccinex, Inc. (VCNX) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that operates primarily through a research-and-development business model, generating revenue via strategic collaborations, licensing agreements for its proprietary platforms, and government grants. The company’s primary business segments are focused on the discovery and development of targeted biotherapeutics, specifically humanized monoclonal antibodies that inhibit semaphorin 4D (SEMA4D) to treat neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Its lead candidate, pepinemab, is currently being evaluated in clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease and head and neck cancer, supported by its ActivMAb® antibody discovery platform which facilitates the expression of complex membrane proteins. Vaccinex competes directly with other neurology and oncology-focused biotechs such as Voyager Therapeutics, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, and WaVe Life Sciences, maintaining a niche as a micro-cap pioneer in SEMA4D-mediated neuroinflammation and immune-oncology reprogramming. The company is led by Co-Founder, President, and CEO Maurice Zauderer, Ph.D., a former faculty member at Columbia University and the University of Rochester with a Ph.D. from MIT. The executive team includes Dr. Ernest S. Smith, Senior VP of Research and Chief Scientific Officer, who has overseen the company’s R&D since 2003, and Elizabeth Evans, Ph.D., who serves as Chief Operating Officer and Senior VP of Discovery and Translational Medicine. Jill Sanchez, CPA, serves as the Chief Financial Officer, having previously held the role of Controller. The company’s board is chaired by Albert Friedberg, founder of Friedberg Mercantile Group Ltd., which remains a notable institutional backer. This leadership team brings deep academic and industry pedigree from institutions such as Biogen Idec and the National Cancer Institute, providing the technical expertise required to navigate complex Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical pathways.