Business Wire

F-star Appoints Darlene Deptula-Hicks as Chief Financial Officer and Opens Office in Cambridge, MA

Share

F-star Therapeutics Ltd., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company delivering tetravalent bispecific antibodies for a paradigm-shift in cancer therapy, today announces the appointment of Darlene Deptula-Hicks, MBA as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), succeeding Tolga Hassan, who is appointed to serve as F-star’s Chief Operating Officer.

Darlene Deptula-Hicks joins F-star from Northern Biologics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing first-in-class antibody therapeutics in oncology. Previously, Darlene held CFO positions across both private and publicly listed US companies, including Pieris Pharmaceuticals Inc., Microline Surgical Inc. and T2 Biosystems Inc. She brings to F-star a proven track record of finance strategy and leadership, capital raising, industry knowledge and the ability to build strong strategic partnerships.

Darlene Deptula-Hicks, CFO of F-star, said: “It is a very exciting time to be joining F-star given its evolution to a fully-fledged clinical-stage, international business. The company’s pipeline of promising bispecific antibodies has the potential to address the growing need for, and commercial opportunity from, more efficacious therapies for cancer patients. I am excited to join the management team of this next-generation immunotherapy business.”

Eliot Forster, CEO of F-star, said: “We believe Darlene’s strong commercial and capital markets experience from within the life sciences sector will play a critical role in our transition and I’m delighted that she has joined the company. Tolga’s expertise and company knowledge continues to be vital to our success as we work towards realising our ambition to bring new drugs to cancer patients as quickly as we can.”

To support F-star’s international expansion strategy, the company has also established US operations based in Cambridge, MA. Research operations will continue at the company’s site in Cambridge, UK, while the US office will support the growth of F-star’s in-house financial, clinical and regulatory activities.

F-star has also appointed Lindsey Trickett as Vice President of Investor Relations and Communications. Lindsey brings with her a wealth of experience in investor relations and antibody drug development. She joins F-star from Intellia Therapeutics, Inc., where she served as a Vice President of Investor Relations. Previously, Lindsey held senior IR and strategic marketing positions at AstraZeneca plc and spent over a decade in roles of increasing responsibility at MedImmune, LLC/AstraZeneca plc.

Both Darlene and Lindsey will be based out of F-star’s US office.

- ENDS -

About F-star Therapeutics Ltd

F-star is a leading clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company delivering tetravalent bispecific antibodies for a paradigm-shift in cancer therapy. By developing medicines that seek to block tumour immune evasion, the Company’s goal is to offer patients greater and more durable benefits than current immuno-oncology treatments. Through its proprietary tetravalent, bispecific antibody (mAb²™) format, F-star is generating first- and best-in-class drug candidates with monoclonal antibody-like manufacturability. Building on the combined expertise of its world-class management team and scientific leadership, F-star is poised to deliver the next breakthrough immunotherapies for cancer patients.

To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.

Contact information

For investor enquiries:
Lindsey Trickett
VP Investor Relations & Communications
+1 240 543 7970
lindsey.trickett@f-star.com

Consilium Strategic Communications
Chris Gardner, Sue Stuart, David Daley
Tel: +44 (0)20 3709 5700
E-mail: F-star@consilium-comms.com

For media enquiries
Pierre Peotta
Communications Manager
+44 (0)1223 948 094
+44 (0)7392 080 279
pierre.peotta@f-star.com

US
Catherine London, US President
Tel: +1 917-763-2709
E-mail: F-star@consilium-comms.com

About Business Wire

For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.

Subscribe to releases from Business Wire

Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Latest releases from Business Wire

Belkin Unveils Next-Generation Chargers, Gaming Power Accessories and More at CES 20264.1.2026 19:00:00 EET | Press release

Belkin, a leading consumer electronics brand for over 40 years, today announced a bold new lineup of accessories designed to power, protect, and enhance the way people work, play, and connect. The new collection, debuting at CES 2026, includes advanced power banks, Qi2 25W wireless chargers, a wireless HDMI dongle for seamless content sharing, and a next gen charging case for the Nintendo Switch 2. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260104976028/en/ Belkin unveils new products at CES 2026 Gaming Charging Case Pro for Nintendo Switch 2 (Model ENA003) Engineered for the ultimate on-the-go gaming experience, the Pro case delivers power, protection, and portability in one premium package. A removable 10,000 mAh power bank delivers up to 30W fast charging and features an LCD screen to display remaining battery life. The Pro version builds on the standard model’s safe in‑case charging with a sleeker, integrated power b

Belkin Elevates Everyday Device Protection with a New Lineup of Screen Protectors and a Wear & Tear Program4.1.2026 19:00:00 EET | Press release

Belkin, a leading consumer electronics brand for over 40 years, today announces a new class of screen protection solutions, a strategic partnership, and an all-new wear-and-tear program; advancing its commitment to keeping devices protected and consumers confident. The launch includes seven new screen protectors, a customization partnership with ScreenSkinz, and a screen protection replacement program designed to give users lasting peace of mind and ensure the products they love stay safe, secure, and in the best shape. Meet the ScreenForce Titan Lineup: The Ultimate in Full-Screen Protection Titan SmartShield Titan SmartShield serves as the premium rigid protector in the lineup, delivering aerospace-grade impact resistance and up to 18x the strength of traditional glass*. Engineered with a 9H surface hardness and rated for up to 6.5 ft / 2 m of drop protection**, Titan SmartShield offers exceptional durability without compromising clarity. An advanced anti-reflective coating preserves

SINOVAC Provides Update on Antigua High Court Order and Auditor Engagement4.1.2026 17:13:00 EET | Press release

Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (NASDAQ: SVA) (“SINOVAC” or the “Company”), a leading provider of biopharmaceutical products in China, today provided an update on the Antigua High Court’s interlocutory order governing the Company’s board composition and corporate actions pending trial, and announced the engagement of Zhonghua Certified Public Accountants LLP (“Zhonghua”), an affiliate of the global accounting network UHY International, as the Company’s independent auditor and registered public accounting firm. Update on Antigua High Court Order Further to the order issued by the Antigua High Court (the “Court”) previously disclosed by the Company in a press release dated December 17, 2025, the Court has updated its order to provide that directors Mr. Simon Anderson, Mr. Shan Fu, Mr. Shuge Jiao, Dr. Chiang Li, Mr. Yuk Lam Lo, Mr. Yumin Qiu, Mr. Yu Wang, Ms. Rui-Ping Xiao, Mr. Andrew Y. Yan and Mr. Weidong Yin (collectively, the “Board”), will comprise the Board of the Company until the trial liste

Sinovac Receives Nasdaq Notification Regarding Late Filing of 2025 Half-Year Report4.1.2026 17:00:00 EET | Press release

Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (NASDAQ: SVA) (“SINOVAC” or the “Company”), a leading provider of biopharmaceutical products in China, today announced that it has received a notification letter dated January 2, 2026 (the “Notification Letter”) from Nasdaq Listing Qualifications (“Nasdaq”), stating that the Company was not in compliance with Nasdaq’s Listing Rule 5250(c)(2) since the Company did not timely file a Form 6-K containing an interim balance sheet and income statement as of the end of its second quarter of year 2025. As previously disclosed, the Company received a delisting determination letter (the “Staff Determination”) from Nasdaq in November 2025. The Company requested a hearing before the Nasdaq Hearings Panel to appeal the Staff Determination on November 19, 2025. Nasdaq has informed the Company that the Nasdaq Hearings Panel will also consider the matter addressed in the Notification Letter at a hearing scheduled for January 8, 2026 at which the Company has been invited to present

Consumer Tech Growth to Reset in 2026 as Demand Shifts to Europe and MEA4.1.2026 14:00:00 EET | Press release

NielsenIQ (NYSE:NIQ), a global leader in consumer intelligence, today released its 2026 Consumer Tech & Durable Goods (T&D) market outlook. In collaboration with the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), NIQ expects T&D global sales to level off in 2026 after a strong 2025. The sector is set to finish 2025 at roughly $1.3 trillion USD, up 3% from 2024, while 2026 overall sales value is projected to hold steady at an estimated -0.4% year over year (YoY). While the global picture looks flat, the real story lies in the differences in regional and sector performance. Consumers overall remain careful with their spending and are prioritizing value for money—with a focus on products that offer enhanced performance, convenience, energy-saving, and/or durability. Brands and retailers that align pricing, innovation, and experience to region- and category-specific demand will win share of wallet. “In 2025, global Consumer Tech & Durable goods purchases grew by a solid 3%. Growth is expected to s

In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.

Visit our pressroom
World GlobeA line styled icon from Orion Icon Library.HiddenA line styled icon from Orion Icon Library.Eye