Sonoma Biotherapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing engineered regulatory T cell (Treg) therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, has appointed Stephen Dilly, MBBS, PhD, former President and Chief Executive Officer of Codexis Inc., and current Chair of the Codexis Board, as the company’s new President, CEO and member of the Board of Directors.

The company also announced that co-founder Jeff Bluestone, PhD, will continue to serve as a member of the Board of Directors and as Advisor to SonomaBio.

The leadership transition follows the company’s recent announcement of positive interim safety and efficacy results from its first-in-human study of its lead Treg program, SBT-77-7101, in patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis.

About Dr. Stephen Dilly

Dilly brings nearly forty years of experience and a track record of leadership, business development and drug development. Most recently, he served as the Chairman, CEO and President of Codexis, Inc., and continues to serve as Chairman of the Codexis Board.

Prior to Codexis, Dilly served as President and CEO of Sierra Oncology through its sale to GlaxoSmithKline. Previously, Dilly served as CEO of Aimmune Therapeutics, acquired by Nestle Health Science. Dilly has served in executive roles at Genentech, Chiron and SmithKline Beecham and has been associated with the development, approval and launch of more than twenty-five marketed drugs across multiple therapeutic areas. He holds both an MBBS and a PhD in Cardiac Physiology from the University of London.

“SonomaBio’s pipeline has the potential to be a true scientific breakthrough and major advancement for treating and potentially curing patients with chronic immunological conditions, and I have great admiration for Jeff and the entire team,” said Dilly. “I am honored to join SonomaBio at this critical juncture as we continue to advance our clinical programs.”