Calidi Biotherapeutics Grants Stock Options to New CEO Eric Poma

Calidi Biotherapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing targeted antitumor virotherapies, has granted a substantial inducement non-qualified stock option to its newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Eric Poma, Ph.D.

The stock option grant, approved by the company, includes the right to purchase 726,412 shares at an exercise price of $0.469 per share, which corresponds to the closing stock price on April 22, 2025. This significant equity compensation package is structured with a four-year vesting schedule, designed to align Poma's long-term interests with the company's strategic objectives.

The option grant's vesting structure is particularly noteworthy, with 25% of the shares becoming available on April 22, 2026, and the remaining shares vesting in equal monthly installments through April 22, 2029. This approach is consistent with NYSE American LLC Company Guide Section 711 guidelines for executive compensation.

For Calidi Biotherapeutics, this stock option grant represents more than a standard compensation mechanism. The company specializes in developing innovative stem cell-based platforms designed to enhance the immune system's capacity to combat cancer. Their proprietary technology focuses on utilizing allogeneic stem cells that can carry oncolytic viruses, potentially revolutionizing treatment approaches for high-grade gliomas and other solid tumors.

The strategic importance of this option grant extends beyond mere financial compensation. By providing Poma with a significant equity stake, Calidi signals strong confidence in his leadership and vision for the company's future cancer treatment development. The substantial stock option underscores the potential for groundbreaking advancements in the company's preclinical off-the-shelf enveloped virotherapies, which are designed to target disseminated solid tumors and potentially prevent metastatic disease.

Poma's leadership comes at a critical time for the biotechnology sector, where innovative approaches to cancer treatment are increasingly vital. Calidi's unique dual approach of using stem cell-based platforms to protect, amplify, and potentiate oncolytic viruses represents a promising frontier in oncological research, with potential implications for improving patient outcomes and treatment efficacy.