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Explanatory Notes to the Agenda
2 | Appointment of Mr. Shawn Leland as managing director |
In accordance with Affimed N.V.’s (“Affimed” of the “Company”) articles of association and the Dutch Civil Code, the Company’s supervisory board (the “Supervisory Board”) proposes to appoint Mr. Shawn Leland as member of the Company’s management board (the “Management Board”), for a term starting on the date of the EGM, and ending at the end of the annual general meeting of shareholders to be held in 2026, which is the second calendar year after the year of appointment.
The Supervisory Board has made a binding nomination for the appointment of Mr. Leland as member of the Management Board. Subject to his appointment at this EGM, Mr. Leland will be designated as Chief Executive Officer and chairman of the Management Board. Dr. Andreas Harstrick, who has been serving as acting CEO since January 2024 will continue in his position as Chief Medical Officer (CMO).
Mr. Leland, born on 9 December 1983, is a US national. He is an accomplished pharmaceutical and biotechnology professional with more than 15 years of experience in the industry. Mr. Leland has a proving record in successfully advancing the development of novel oncology assets, raising substantial capital for several biotech companies, negotiating major global licensing agreements, and establishing strategic partnerships. Most recently, Mr. Leland was the Interim CEO and Board Director of ForeBio, where he guided the company through a phase 2 study with registrational intent and closed a USD 75 million Series D financing round. In July 2019, Mr. Leland founded Elevation Oncology and initially took on the roles of Chief Business Officer and Board Director, later transitioning to CEO until January 2023. During his tenure, the company advanced multiple novel targeted oncology assets and raised over USD 200 million in capital, including a USD 100 million IPO. From 2017 – 2019, Mr. Leland was Head of Business Development at Verastem Oncology and from 2013 – 2017, he held a similar position at Argos Therapeutics. In these positions, he played a pivotal role in shaping each company’s corporate development strategy, leading multiple partnerships and licensing transactions. Mr. Leland began his career with ARIAD Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly, where he gained valuable experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology section. Mr. Leland holds a PharmD from Albany College of Pharmacy.
With due observance of and subject to the approval of the addendum to the remuneration policy for the Management Board (the ‘’Remuneration Policy’’) under agenda item 3, the remuneration of Mr. Leland will be determined in line with the Remuneration Policy. Below is an overview of the most important elements of Mr. Leland’s employment agreement, including the remuneration package for Mr. Leland.