Tampa biotech firm elevates board member to president, CEO

Oragenics Inc. (NYSE: OGEN), a Tampa-based biotech company that focuses on treatments for infectious diseases, including COVID-19, has named Kimberly Murphy president and CEO.

Murphy, according to a news release, has served on Oragenics’ board of directors since 2020. She brings more than 25 years of industry experience to her new roles, having most recently served as vice president of GSK, where she was part of the teams charged with developing vaccines for influenza and shingles.

“As a board member, Ms. Murphy’s extensive experience in the vaccine industry has provided valuable insight for Oragenics’ corporate and development strategies,” states Fred Telling, chairman of Oragenics’ board of directors, in the release. “Her proven leadership and execution will continue to elevate the potential of the Company and our pipeline programs. We are excited to have her strategic vision further implemented serving as president and chief executive officer.”

Oragenics’ lead product, the release states, is NT-CoV2-1, an intranasal vaccine candidate to prevent COVID-19 and variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, also known as the coronavirus.

“I am honored to be appointed as the president and chief executive officer and excited to create additional meaningful impact to accelerate growth and lead our team,” Murphy states in the release. “I look forward to cultivating our strategic business and development objectives and creating value for our stakeholders opportunistically.”