Lexington, MA — November 18, 2025 — Leads & Copy — Agenus Inc. (Nasdaq: AGEN) has appointed José Iglesias, M.D., as Chief Medical Affairs Officer, effective November 10, 2025. Dr. Iglesias will spearhead global medical affairs for botensilimab (BOT) and balstilimab (BAL) as the combination progresses through Phase 3 evaluation and becomes available in select countries via early-access mechanisms, including France’s Autorisation d’Accès Compassionnel (AAC) program.
Dr. Iglesias brings over 30 years of experience in global oncology and immuno-oncology drug development. His responsibilities include overseeing the global medical affairs strategy for BOT/BAL, including medical evidence generation, communications, and scientific exchange with clinicians, investigators, and health authorities. He will also guide the appropriate use of BOT/BAL within regulatory and early-access frameworks, focusing on robust data collection and real-world evidence.
Prior to joining Agenus, Dr. Iglesias held leadership positions at Abraxis BioScience and Celgene, where he directed late-stage development and life-cycle management of Abraxane across pancreatic, lung, and metastatic breast cancers. Most recently, he served in senior medical leadership roles at Bionomics, Biothera, and Apobiologix, directing global oncology programs across biologics, small molecules, and immunotherapies.
France has granted AAC authorization for BOT/BAL in microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer (MSS CRC), enabling eligible patients to access the combination with full government reimbursement. Hospitals in France have initiated AAC requests, and treatment has begun. This AAC authorization complements existing early-access programs in other regions.
Agenus Chairman and CEO Garo Armen, PhD, emphasized Dr. Iglesias’ role in the global adoption of oncology medicines like Abraxane. He said that as BOT/BAL advances through the global Phase 3 BATTMAN program, Iglesias’ experience will be crucial in working with clinicians, regulators, and payers to inform care for patients with MSS colorectal cancer.
Dr. Iglesias earned his medical degree in Uruguay and completed fellowships at the University of Toronto, the Weizmann Institute of Science, and Duke University. He has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications and is a member of ASCO, AACR, and ESMO.
Agenus is dedicated to making investigational medicines available to patients with cancer. Further information about the company’s commitment to patient access can be found at https://agenusbio.com/access-to-investigational-medicines-policy. Agenus is headquartered in Lexington, MA, and its website is www.agenusbio.com.
BOT is an Fc-enhanced multifunctional CTLA-4 antibody, and BAL is a PD-1 antibody. The BOT/BAL combination is under investigation for patients with MSS CRC. Approximately 1,200 patients have been treated with BOT and/or BAL in Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials, demonstrating clinical responses across nine metastatic, late-line cancers.
For more information about botensilimab trials, visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties described in Agenus’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2024 and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Agenus undertakes no obligation to update these statements unless required by law.
Contact:
Investor Relations
Agenus Inc.
(781) 674-4400
Source: Agenus Inc.
