Agilis Biotherapeutics Names Dr. Mark J. Pykett as President and Chief Executive Officer

Agilis Biotherapeutics, LLC, a synthetic biology-based company focused on developing DNA-based therapeutics for rare genetic diseases, announced today the appointment of Dr. Mark Pykett as President and CEO. Dr. Pykett, brings more than 20 years of scientific, clinical, operational, and commercial experience, and proven leadership in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

“Dr. Pykett is highly accomplished in his field and brings to Agilis extensive management and leadership experience along with a record of strong scientific and business development achievement in public and private healthcare companies. We are excited to work closely with Mark to develop life-changing medicines and drive Agilis toward a global leadership position in rare diseases,” said G. Houston Hall, Managing Director and Executive Chairman of Agilis Biotherapeutics.

“I’m eager to be joining Agilis at this very exciting time,” said Dr. Pykett. “Rare diseases, including the Company’s initial focus, Friedreich’s Ataxia, take a devastating toll on patients, families and the health-care system. The Company is well positioned to develop new therapies with the potential to make a dramatic impact on patients’ lives and provide treatment options where few, if any, exist today. By working in collaboration with Intrexon, a leader in synthetic biology, and an outstanding group of scientific advisors and key opinions leaders, I believe Agilis is at the forefront of advanced breakthrough genetic medicines."

Prior to joining Agilis, Dr. Pykett served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Navidea Biopharmaceuticals (NYSE:NAVB) from 2010 to 2014. During that period, he catalyzed the Company’s transformation into an innovative precision medicine company, drove the development pipeline to in-license two Phase 3 assets in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, led the company to a successful FDA approval, commercialized its first oncology product, managed highly effective partnerships with three Fortune 500 companies, and addressed the company’s strategic and financial requirements. Prior to Navidea, from 2004 to 2010, Dr. Pykett served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Alseres Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company focused on neurodegenerative and central nervous system disorders, playing a critical role in the clinical development of spinal cord and stroke therapeutics, and a best-in-class neuro-imaging agent for Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Pykett was also responsible for the management of Alseres key research collaborations. Prior to Alseres, Dr. Pykett held senior executive roles and directorships at several public and private companies--including CEO of Cytomatrix and President of Cygenics--focused on a range of therapeutic areas, indications and products. Dr. Pykett is also a director of the not-for-profit organization HealthBuilders, developing health infrastructure in central Africa. Dr. Pykett received his B.A. degree from Amherst College, a Ph.D. and V.M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, and an M.B.A. from Northeastern University, and completed post-doctorate fellowships at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University.

About Agilis Biotherapeutics, LLC

Agilis Biotherapeutics, LLC, is a biotechnology company focused on designing and engineering first-in-class DNA-based therapeutics to improve and save the lives of patients affected by life-threatening or fatal rare diseases for which there are limited or no treatment options. We believe that engineered DNA-based therapeutics provide the ability to target underlying disease mechanisms with tightly-controlled multigenic modalities leading to “functional cures” for patients with these diseases.

We invite you to visit our website at www.agilisbio.com

Safe Harbor Statement

Some of the statements made in this press release are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations and projections about future events and generally relate to our plans, objectives and expectations for the development of our business. Although management believes that the plans and objectives reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and actual future results may be materially different from the plans, objectives and expectations expressed in this press release.