Valion Bio Appoints Melinda Lackey as General Counsel
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 04 2026
0mins
Valion Bio (VBIO) announced the appointment of Melinda Lackey as General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Legal Affairs. Lackey brings nearly two decades of combined scientific and legal experience across clinical-stage biopharmaceutical development, intellectual property strategy, and Nasdaq public company governance, a profile built for Valion Bio's current phase of growth. Lackey joins from Alaunos Therapeutics (TCRT), where she served as Senior Vice President of Legal & Administration.
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About VBIO
Valion Bio, Inc., formerly Tivic Health Systems, Inc., is a late-stage immunotherapeutics company. The Company offers Entolimod, which is a drug used to treat acute radiation syndrome (ARS). Entolimod is a toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) agonist that activates an innate immune pathway to prevent cell death in the bone marrow and epithelial tissues across systems impacted by radiation and age. Its pipeline also includes Entolimod to treat neutropenia and lymphocyte exhaustion, as well as Entolasta, an immunologically optimized variant of Entolimod for chronic applications. Its subsidiary, Velocity Bioworks, is a full-service contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that is based in San Antonio, Texas. It offers upstream and downstream process development and optimization; analytical testing, assay development, and qualification; quality control and stability testing; microbial and mammalian expression systems; technology transfer and program management services.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Valion Bio Presents Entolimod for Acute Radiation Syndrome to U.S. Officials
- Cross-Agency Collaboration: On May 14, 2026, Valion Bio presented Entolimod to senior officials from the U.S. Department of Defense and BARDA, reflecting ongoing government interest in the drug as a countermeasure for radiological threats, underscoring its strategic importance in national radiological preparedness.
- Oral Formulation Potential: The discussions highlighted the development of an oral formulation of Entolimod, which would provide operational advantages for mass casualty scenarios, supporting broader field deployment and national stockpile integration, thereby enhancing emergency response capabilities.
- Funding Support: To date, the Entolimod program has received over $140 million in investment, including approximately $35.6 million in non-dilutive U.S. government funding, demonstrating government recognition and support that strengthens its market competitiveness.
- Dual Protection Mechanism: As a TLR5 agonist, Entolimod offers dual protection for both bone marrow and gastrointestinal tissues, distinguishing it from existing single-target therapies, thereby improving survival rates at higher radiation doses and presenting significant clinical application prospects.
See More
Valion Bio Presents Entolimod as a Countermeasure for Acute Radiation Syndrome
- Cross-Agency Collaboration: On May 14, 2026, Valion Bio presented Entolimod to senior officials from the Department of Defense and BARDA, reflecting ongoing U.S. government interest in the drug as a countermeasure for radiological threats, particularly the potential for an oral formulation to enhance deployment in mass casualty scenarios.
- Strategic Significance: CEO Michael K. Handley noted that this engagement signals policymakers' recognition of Entolimod's strategic importance as a dual-tissue radiation countermeasure, emphasizing the operational realities of oral formulations for field deployment and national stockpile readiness.
- Funding and Research Support: To date, the Entolimod program has received over $140 million in investment, including approximately $35.6 million in non-dilutive U.S. government funding, demonstrating strong governmental confidence and support for the drug's development.
- Clinical Research Progress: Entolimod has shown a well-characterized safety and efficacy profile in 42 non-human primate studies and has been administered to around 300 human subjects, paving the way for its advancement toward a Biologics License Application with the FDA.
See More
Tivic Health Reports Q1 Non-GAAP Loss of $2.23 per Share
- Financial Performance: Tivic Health Systems reported a Q1 2026 non-GAAP loss per share of $2.23, with a net loss of $6.2 million, indicating significant financial pressure amid market competition.
- Operating Expenses: The company's operating expenses reached $5.6 million in Q1, reflecting an increase compared to the previous year, which may impact future profitability and cash flow management.
- Market Opportunity: Tivic Health outlines a significant opportunity in the $20 billion oncology market, demonstrating confidence in future growth following its strategic transformation.
- Funding Support: Valion Bio Inc. aims to complete GMP validation for Entolimod by the end of 2026, backed by NIAID funding, showcasing the company's proactive positioning in the biopharmaceutical sector.
See More
Valion Bio Reports Q1 2026 Earnings and Strategic Outlook
- Financial Overview: Valion Bio reported a net loss of $6.2 million for Q1 2026, significantly up from a $1.5 million loss a year earlier, reflecting high operating costs associated with business expansion, although the loss per share improved from $2.52 to $2.23.
- R&D Spending Increase: Research and development expenses for the quarter reached $1.9 million, a substantial rise from $0.3 million in Q1 2025, indicating the company's ongoing commitment to accelerating the clinical development of Entolimod.
- Strategic Plans and Risks: Management highlighted future strategic initiatives, including initiating physician-sponsored studies for neutropenia in the second half of 2026, while also addressing financing and listing risks that could impact operational capabilities and market performance.
- Cash Flow Status: As of March 31, 2026, Valion Bio had cash and cash equivalents of $7.2 million, down from $12.6 million at the end of 2025, with $5 million used in operating activities during Q1, indicating pressure on the company's financial management.
See More
Velocity Bioworks Secures Exclusive Agreement with LarmorBio for BioScan-NMR Platform
- Exclusive Agreement: Velocity Bioworks has entered into an exclusive commercial development and licensing agreement with LarmorBio for the BioScan-NMR™ platform, with the first commercial installation targeted for July 2026 in San Antonio, thereby enhancing the company's market position in next-generation NMR diagnostics.
- Strategic Partnership: This agreement establishes a strategic partnership between Velocity Bioworks and LarmorBio, with both parties commercially and operationally aligned to validate, optimize, and scale the deployment of the BioScan-NMR platform, thereby strengthening their competitive edge in the market.
- First-Mover Advantage: By hosting the first commercial installation of the BioScan-NMR platform, Velocity Bioworks gains a first-mover advantage, serving as a demonstration and validation site for LarmorBio's broader commercial pipeline, which enhances its service capabilities in biomanufacturing.
- Technology Integration and Investment: This collaboration not only provides Velocity Bioworks with advanced diagnostic services but also complements LarmorBio's upcoming Series A financing, ensuring the company's continued investment and technological leadership in the biotechnology sector.
See More
Velocity Bioworks Partners with LarmorBio for NMR Diagnostics
- Exclusive Agreement: Velocity Bioworks has entered into an exclusive commercial development and licensing agreement with LarmorBio, targeting the first installation of the BioScan-NMR™ platform in San Antonio by July 2026, positioning the company at the forefront of next-generation NMR diagnostics.
- Strategic Partnership: This agreement establishes a strategic partnership between Velocity Bioworks and LarmorBio, aligning both parties commercially and operationally to jointly validate, optimize, and scale the BioScan-NMR platform, enhancing their competitive edge in the market.
- First-Mover Advantage: By hosting the first commercial installation of the BioScan-NMR platform, Velocity Bioworks gains a first-mover advantage, which is expected to strengthen its position in biomanufacturing and clinical diagnostics services, attracting more customers and investment.
- Integration and Growth: This initiative not only supports Velocity Bioworks' internal drug development pipeline but also provides advanced diagnostic services to third-party CDMO clients, anticipated to lower costs and accelerate production efficiency, driving long-term growth for the company.
See More
Valion Bio Presents Entolimod for Acute Radiation Syndrome to U.S. Officials
- Cross-Agency Collaboration: On May 14, 2026, Valion Bio presented Entolimod to senior officials from the U.S. Department of Defense and BARDA, reflecting ongoing government interest in the drug as a countermeasure for radiological threats, underscoring its strategic importance in national radiological preparedness.
- Oral Formulation Potential: The discussions highlighted the development of an oral formulation of Entolimod, which would provide operational advantages for mass casualty scenarios, supporting broader field deployment and national stockpile integration, thereby enhancing emergency response capabilities.
- Funding Support: To date, the Entolimod program has received over $140 million in investment, including approximately $35.6 million in non-dilutive U.S. government funding, demonstrating government recognition and support that strengthens its market competitiveness.
- Dual Protection Mechanism: As a TLR5 agonist, Entolimod offers dual protection for both bone marrow and gastrointestinal tissues, distinguishing it from existing single-target therapies, thereby improving survival rates at higher radiation doses and presenting significant clinical application prospects.
See More
Valion Bio Presents Entolimod as a Countermeasure for Acute Radiation Syndrome
- Cross-Agency Collaboration: On May 14, 2026, Valion Bio presented Entolimod to senior officials from the Department of Defense and BARDA, reflecting ongoing U.S. government interest in the drug as a countermeasure for radiological threats, particularly the potential for an oral formulation to enhance deployment in mass casualty scenarios.
- Strategic Significance: CEO Michael K. Handley noted that this engagement signals policymakers' recognition of Entolimod's strategic importance as a dual-tissue radiation countermeasure, emphasizing the operational realities of oral formulations for field deployment and national stockpile readiness.
- Funding and Research Support: To date, the Entolimod program has received over $140 million in investment, including approximately $35.6 million in non-dilutive U.S. government funding, demonstrating strong governmental confidence and support for the drug's development.
- Clinical Research Progress: Entolimod has shown a well-characterized safety and efficacy profile in 42 non-human primate studies and has been administered to around 300 human subjects, paving the way for its advancement toward a Biologics License Application with the FDA.
See More
Tivic Health Reports Q1 Non-GAAP Loss of $2.23 per Share
- Financial Performance: Tivic Health Systems reported a Q1 2026 non-GAAP loss per share of $2.23, with a net loss of $6.2 million, indicating significant financial pressure amid market competition.
- Operating Expenses: The company's operating expenses reached $5.6 million in Q1, reflecting an increase compared to the previous year, which may impact future profitability and cash flow management.
- Market Opportunity: Tivic Health outlines a significant opportunity in the $20 billion oncology market, demonstrating confidence in future growth following its strategic transformation.
- Funding Support: Valion Bio Inc. aims to complete GMP validation for Entolimod by the end of 2026, backed by NIAID funding, showcasing the company's proactive positioning in the biopharmaceutical sector.
See More
Valion Bio Reports Q1 2026 Earnings and Strategic Outlook
- Financial Overview: Valion Bio reported a net loss of $6.2 million for Q1 2026, significantly up from a $1.5 million loss a year earlier, reflecting high operating costs associated with business expansion, although the loss per share improved from $2.52 to $2.23.
- R&D Spending Increase: Research and development expenses for the quarter reached $1.9 million, a substantial rise from $0.3 million in Q1 2025, indicating the company's ongoing commitment to accelerating the clinical development of Entolimod.
- Strategic Plans and Risks: Management highlighted future strategic initiatives, including initiating physician-sponsored studies for neutropenia in the second half of 2026, while also addressing financing and listing risks that could impact operational capabilities and market performance.
- Cash Flow Status: As of March 31, 2026, Valion Bio had cash and cash equivalents of $7.2 million, down from $12.6 million at the end of 2025, with $5 million used in operating activities during Q1, indicating pressure on the company's financial management.
See More
Velocity Bioworks Secures Exclusive Agreement with LarmorBio for BioScan-NMR Platform
- Exclusive Agreement: Velocity Bioworks has entered into an exclusive commercial development and licensing agreement with LarmorBio for the BioScan-NMR™ platform, with the first commercial installation targeted for July 2026 in San Antonio, thereby enhancing the company's market position in next-generation NMR diagnostics.
- Strategic Partnership: This agreement establishes a strategic partnership between Velocity Bioworks and LarmorBio, with both parties commercially and operationally aligned to validate, optimize, and scale the deployment of the BioScan-NMR platform, thereby strengthening their competitive edge in the market.
- First-Mover Advantage: By hosting the first commercial installation of the BioScan-NMR platform, Velocity Bioworks gains a first-mover advantage, serving as a demonstration and validation site for LarmorBio's broader commercial pipeline, which enhances its service capabilities in biomanufacturing.
- Technology Integration and Investment: This collaboration not only provides Velocity Bioworks with advanced diagnostic services but also complements LarmorBio's upcoming Series A financing, ensuring the company's continued investment and technological leadership in the biotechnology sector.
See More
Velocity Bioworks Partners with LarmorBio for NMR Diagnostics
- Exclusive Agreement: Velocity Bioworks has entered into an exclusive commercial development and licensing agreement with LarmorBio, targeting the first installation of the BioScan-NMR™ platform in San Antonio by July 2026, positioning the company at the forefront of next-generation NMR diagnostics.
- Strategic Partnership: This agreement establishes a strategic partnership between Velocity Bioworks and LarmorBio, aligning both parties commercially and operationally to jointly validate, optimize, and scale the BioScan-NMR platform, enhancing their competitive edge in the market.
- First-Mover Advantage: By hosting the first commercial installation of the BioScan-NMR platform, Velocity Bioworks gains a first-mover advantage, which is expected to strengthen its position in biomanufacturing and clinical diagnostics services, attracting more customers and investment.
- Integration and Growth: This initiative not only supports Velocity Bioworks' internal drug development pipeline but also provides advanced diagnostic services to third-party CDMO clients, anticipated to lower costs and accelerate production efficiency, driving long-term growth for the company.
See More
