Deciphera Appoints Christopher J. Morl, M.B.A. As Chief Business Officer

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing tumor-targeted and immuno-targeted advanced kinase inhibitors, announced today that it has appointed Christopher J. Morl, M.B.A., as its Chief Business Officer. In this newly created role, Mr. Morl, who has more than 25 years of experience as a senior executive in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, will be responsible for corporate and business development initiatives, as well as corporate and product strategic planning.

“I am delighted to be joining the Deciphera team at such an exciting time, when the company has multiple product candidates approaching pivotal clinical milestones”

“We are pleased to add Chris to our leadership team at this point in Deciphera’s evolution as we advance our product candidates through clinical development as innovative new treatments for cancer patients,” said Michael D. Taylor, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Deciphera Pharmaceuticals. “Chris brings broad corporate strategy and business development expertise, which will be invaluable to Deciphera as we execute business strategies and explore new opportunities for our pipeline of innovative cancer therapies.”

“I am delighted to be joining the Deciphera team at such an exciting time, when the company has multiple product candidates approaching pivotal clinical milestones,” said Mr. Morl. “I look forward to contributing my skills and experience to help the company realize the broad potential of this pipeline of advanced kinase inhibitors with the goal of improving outcomes for cancer patients.”

With more than 25 years of biotech and pharmaceutical industry experience, Christopher J. Morl, M.B.A., has served in leadership roles for private biotech and multi-national pharmaceutical companies including miRagen Therapeutics, Ambit Biosciences Corporation, Astellas, Inc., Agensys, Inc. and Glaxosmithkline PLC. Prior to joining Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, Mr. Morl served as Chief Operating Officer and previously as Chief Business Officer at miRagen Therapeutics, Inc. Mr. Morl holds a Master of Business Administration from the Cranfield School of Management in Bedforshire, UK, and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology from North East London Polytechnic. He serves as a Director on the Board of Alethia Biotherapeutics Inc., where he is also Chairman of the Audit Committee.

About Deciphera Pharmaceuticals

Deciphera Pharmaceuticals seeks to improve treatment for patients with cancer by designing innovative kinase inhibitor therapies that address key drug resistance mechanisms. Deciphera’s unique approach leverages its deep understanding of kinase biology to develop a robust pipeline of tumor-targeted and immuno-targeted drug candidates that can improve the rate and durability of response to treatment. Deciphera’s innovative switch control platform enables the creation of tumor-targeted agents designed to control therapeutic resistance causing mutations and immuno-targeted agents designed to control activation of immuno-kinases that suppress critical immune system regulators, such as macrophages. This two-pronged approach to kinase inhibition represents an advance over other methods of inhibiting kinases for the treatment of cancer.