Kevin Brodbeck
About Kevin Brodbeck
Kevin Brodbeck, PhD, was appointed Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of ORIC Pharmaceuticals on August 18, 2025, a newly established role designed to strengthen CMC, quality, technical operations, and regulatory execution as ORIC’s programs advance toward potential Phase 3 trials in 2026 . He brings 25+ years of technical leadership, including senior roles at Deciphera and Nektar, plus product development leadership at ALZA and Powderject; he holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering (UIUC) and a BS in Chemical Engineering (UC Berkeley) . ORIC highlighted his appointment in Q2 and Q3 2025 updates alongside key program milestones and an extended cash runway into 2H 2028 .
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Years | Strategic Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deciphera Pharmaceuticals | Chief Technical & Development Operations Officer | — | Led CMC, Supply Chain, Clinical Operations, Program Management; co-led portfolio governance; expanded Qinlock internationally; readied Romvimza for US/EU approval and launch . |
| Nektar Therapeutics | SVP, Technical Operations; Chair of Board, Nektar India LLP | — | Led global CMC development and manufacturing; product/process/analytical development; QA/QC; supply chain across oncology, immunotherapy, anti-infective, pain programs . |
| ALZA | Product development leadership | — | Multiple product development leadership roles (CMC/technical) . |
| Powderject | Product development leadership | — | Multiple product development leadership roles (CMC/technical) . |
External Roles
| Organization | Role | Years | Strategic Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nektar India LLP | Chair of Board | — | Governance and oversight for international manufacturing/operations within Nektar’s footprint . |
Fixed Compensation
Not disclosed in ORIC’s 2025 proxy (which covers FY2024 and lists NEOs as CEO/CFO/CMO) and not provided in appointment announcements or 8-Ks reviewed to date .
Performance Compensation
Inducement and focal equity structures exist at ORIC (2022 Inducement Plan; 2020 Plan), enabling options/RSUs for new hires and annual grants; however, Kevin Brodbeck’s specific grants, vesting, and performance metrics have not been disclosed in filings reviewed .
Equity Ownership & Alignment
- Policy prohibits employees and directors from hedging/pledging ORIC stock; short sales, derivatives, collars, prepaid forwards, margin accounts, and pledging are disallowed, supporting alignment and reducing leverage-related risk .
- Beneficial ownership for Kevin Brodbeck is not disclosed in the 2025 proxy (covers FY2024 executives/directors) and no Form 4 data was found in company communications reviewed; monitor future SEC Section 16 filings for ownership, grants, and potential selling pressure .
Employment Terms
- Company Severance Policy (applies to NEOs and certain key employees):
| Provision | Outside CIC Period | Within CIC Period |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary Severance | 9 months (12 months for CEO) | 12 months (18 months for CEO) |
| Target Bonus | — | 100% of target (150% for CEO) |
| COBRA or cash in lieu | Up to 9 months (12 months for CEO) | Up to 12 months (18 months for CEO) |
| Equity Acceleration | CEO: +12 months service credit on time-based awards outside CIC ; all NEOs/key employees: full acceleration at CIC; performance awards at 100% unless otherwise specified | |
| 280G Cut-Back | Best-net (no gross-ups) | Best-net (no gross-ups) |
Kevin Brodbeck’s participation level and exact triggers under ORIC’s Severance Policy have not been disclosed; however, as CTO and a key executive, similar structures are often used—watch for an employment letter or 8-K Item 5.02 detailing his terms .
Performance & Track Record
- Deciphera/Nektar track record: Brodbeck led end-to-end CMC/technical operations, expanded Qinlock internationally, and prepared Romvimza for US/EU approvals and launch, indicating deep commercialization readiness across modalities .
- ORIC program context during appointment:
- ORIC-944 mCRPC combinations with apalutamide/darolutamide showing strong PSA and ctDNA responses, with favorable safety profile; dose optimization data expected 1Q26 .
- Enozertinib (ORIC-114) advancing in NSCLC with multiple readouts slated in 2H 2025 and mid-2026 .
- Cash/investments ~$413m as of 9/30/2025; runway into 2H 2028; workforce focused on late-stage readiness—areas directly under CTO remit (CMC, supply chain, technical strategy) .
Compensation Committee Analysis
- Committee composition: Dr. Heyman (Chair), Mr. Hoerter, Dr. Kunkel; uses Aon as independent compensation consultant for market benchmarking and peer analysis .
- Equity plans and timing: Annual grants typically at start of fiscal year; directors shifted to synchronize option grant dates with executives beginning 2025; inducement plan expanded in 2024 and 2025 for talent attraction .
Investment Implications
- Alignment: ORIC’s anti-hedging/anti-pledging policy reduces misalignment risk; expect future disclosure of CTO equity inducement grants under the Inducement Plan, which will clarify skin-in-the-game and potential vesting overhangs .
- Retention risk: CTO role is mission-critical for Phase 3 readiness and commercialization; lack of disclosed employment economics suggests monitoring for an 8-K Item 5.02 and Form 4 filings to assess severance protections, change-of-control terms, grant sizing, and vesting cadence .
- Trading signals: Upcoming equity award disclosures (options/RSUs under Inducement/2020 Plan) can create identifiable vesting dates and potential sell windows; monitor grant-date fair values, vest schedules (monthly vs annual cliffs), and any performance stock units tied to TSR or clinical milestones to gauge selling pressure .
- Execution: Brodbeck’s commercialization and CMC background aligns with ORIC’s late-stage milestones (944 and enozertinib); operational discipline supported by extended runway improves probability of timely Phase 3 initiation—key catalysts through 2026 that can drive value realization .