Immunic Inc (NASDAQ:IMUX, FRA:10VA) has named biopharmaceutical executive Erik Lundgren as its chief executive officer as the company advances its multiple sclerosis treatment candidate through late-stage development and prepares for potential commercialization.
He succeeds Daniel Vitt, who will continue to oversee scientific strategy and portfolio advancement while remaining on the company’s board of directors.
Immunic’s board chair Michael Bonney said Lundgren’s leadership experience would support the company’s transition toward becoming a commercial-stage biotechnology company.
Immunic is developing vidofludimus calcium, an oral therapy candidate for neurologic diseases, including relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). The company is currently conducting the pivotal phase 3 ENSURE program in RMS and plans to launch a phase 3 program in PPMS.
Lundgren joins Immunic from Genentech, part of the Roche Group, where he most recently served as senior vice president of the Commercial Portfolio Organization. In that role, he oversaw commercial strategy across the company’s therapeutic portfolio.
He also previously served as general manager of Roche Czech Republic and held leadership positions within Roche’s neuroscience business, including work related to Huntington’s disease.
During more than a decade at Genentech, Lundgren held several commercial leadership roles, including senior marketing director for the launch and commercialization of Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), a treatment for RMS and PPMS. He also worked on oncology product launches, including Kadcyla and Zelboraf.
In a statement, Lundgren said Immunic’s lead candidate offers a potentially differentiated approach to treating both relapsing and progressive forms of multiple sclerosis by targeting immunological and neuroprotective pathways.
“Having spent my career focused on bringing innovative medicines to patients, including those with MS, I believe Immunic is uniquely positioned to advance this important program through late-stage development and potential commercialization,” Lundgren said.
Vitt said Lundgren’s experience in multiple sclerosis and commercialization would be important as the company advances vidofludimus calcium through late-stage development and prepares for future commercialization efforts.
“As we approach these important milestones and continue our evolution toward becoming a commercial-stage biotechnology company, I am convinced that Erik is the right leader to guide Immunic into its next chapter,” Vitt said.
