Immunic Inc (NASDAQ:IMUX) has announced the appointment of Dr Richard Rudick to its board of directors, effective April 26, 2023.
The biotechnology company developing small molecule therapies for chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases noted that Dr Rudick is a thought leader in multiple sclerosis with decades of experience in the clinic, academia, and industry.
He has served as director of the Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, and as vice-chair of the Cleveland Clinic Neuroscience Institute. He has also authored over 250 peer-reviewed publications in the neurology space and served as chair of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Research Program Advisory Committee.
"We are very grateful to have Rick join us," said Dr Duane Nash, chairman of the board of directors of Immunic in a statement. "We look forward to working with him to leverage his extensive knowledge, experience and relationships, in particular, with respect to our ongoing development of vidofludimus calcium in multiple sclerosis, as well as our earlier programs."
The company's lead development program, vidofludimus calcium (IMU-838), is currently in phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and has shown therapeutic activity in phase 2 clinical trials in patients suffering from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis. The drug selectively inhibits activated immune cells and shows combined anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and neuroprotective effects.
Immunic also announced that Dr Vincent Ossipow will step down from the board of directors, effective June 28, 2023.
"On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I would like to thank Vincent for his dedication to Immunic and his thoughtful guidance over the past seven years," said Dr Nash. "We are deeply indebted to him for his invaluable contributions and offer him our best wishes in all future endeavors."
Immunic's pipeline also includes IMU-856, which is targeted to restore intestinal barrier function and regenerate bowel epithelium, and is currently being evaluated in a clinical proof-of-concept trial for celiac disease.
Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com