Fildes Named Chief Executive of Cetus Corp.

As expected, Cetus Corp. said Thursday that it has named President Robert A. Fildes to the additional position of chief executive. Ronald E. Cape, Cetus co-founder and chairman, also had been chief executive. Cape will remain as chairman.

Fildes, 47, joined Cetus in December, 1982, as president and chief operating officer. As Cape became increasingly active in industry organizations and issues, Fildes has assumed more and more of the day-to-day responsibilities for the No. 2 biotechnology firm. The change has been anticipated in the industry and is not expected to affect the current enthusiasm for the company and its stock.

The Emeryville-based company is developing a genetically engineered protein, called inter-leukin-2, intended as a treatment for cancer and infectious diseases, such as AIDS. In recent tests, a form of interleukin-2 has shown promise in treating patients in advanced stages of cancer.

The test findings touched off a spurt in Cetus’ stock price in early December, driving it up by almost 50%. The stock closed Thursday at $27, down 25 cents, in over-the-counter trading.