MEI Pharma (MEIP) Announces Planned Departure of CEO Daniel P. Gold, Ph.D. and Appointment of David M. Urso as Successor

MEI Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: MEIP) (the “Company”), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on advancing new therapies for cancer, today announced that, in connection with the Company’s previously announced succession plan, Daniel P. Gold, Ph.D’s tenure as the president and chief executive officer of MEI will end on June 2, 2023 and the Company’s board of directors has appointed David M. Urso as his successor. Mr. Urso, who joined the Company in 2014 and has been serving as the company’s chief operating officer since 2018, will also join the board of directors. Dr. Gold will remain on MEI’s board, where he will continue to share his extensive knowledge and experience with the company.

“I am very proud of the team we have built since I joined MEI as CEO in 2010. Together, we have progressed the company’s development portfolio by identifying exciting, novel oncology candidates and advancing them through clinical development,” said Dr. Gold. “As the company enters its next stage of growth, it’s the right time for David to take the reins as MEI’s next president and CEO. David joined MEI in 2014, and since that time, he has exhibited tremendous leadership across the organization. Importantly, he has been my partner in developing and overseeing the implementation of corporate strategy, while leading our business development efforts.”

Charles V. Baltic III, J.D., chair of the board of MEI added, “Succession planning is a significant focus of the MEI Board and we are pleased to have worked closely with Dan and David over the past few months to ensure a smooth transition. Dan has done an incredible job in building MEI’s capabilities and in-licensing promising, novel cancer drug candidates, all while forming and fostering a strong culture for the organization and its employees. On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Dan for his outstanding leadership and his tireless commitment to the company and patients in the advancement of treatments for cancer. We wish him all the best in his retirement and look forward to continuing to leverage his knowledge, insights, experience and commitment as he maintains his role on the MEI board.”

Mr. Urso commented, “Dan’s exceptional leadership and commitment has set the tone as MEI’s top executive for over 10 years. I’ve always admired his scientific acumen, strategic thinking and his ability to build a strong and passionate team. I’m looking forward to continuing MEI’s mission – including through the advancement of our two exciting clinical-stage programs, voruciclib and ME-344 that were identified under Dan’s leadership – while also continuing to inspire the best efforts from my colleagues.”

Mr. Urso joined MEI Pharma in April 2014 with nearly two decades of experience in the life science industry as a senior vice president and general counsel. In July 2018, he was appointed MEI’s chief operating officer. Previously, he was chief operating officer and general counsel at Tioga Pharmaceuticals, a privately held drug development company he co-founded in 2005 as a principal at Forward Ventures, where he was responsible for identifying and developing life science venture capital investments. Before joining Forward Ventures in 2002, David was director of corporate development and legal affairs at DNA Sciences. Previously, he worked as an attorney in the corporate securities and licensing groups at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati LLP and Cooley Godward LLP, after beginning his career as a bench scientist at SmithKline Beecham and the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. Mr. Urso received a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology and Philosophy from Reed College.

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