Immunic Inc (NASDAQ:IMUX) told investors it has appointed a former Novartis and Biogen executive as its new chief operating officer to lead internal efforts to prepare for the potential launch of vidofludimus calcium.
Jason Tardio will join the company in the newly created role of COO and president from July 12, the biotechnology company said.
As well as being in charge of the launch of the orally available nuclear receptor related 1 (Nurr1) activator, Tardio will work closely with chief business officer Patrick Walsh to prepare the company for a range of potential partnership outcomes for vidofludimus calcium and other drug candidates.
CEO Daniel Vitt said: "Jason's extensive experience, most notably related to the launch and commercialization of successful multiple sclerosis (MS) drugs for both Novartis and Biogen, as well as his history of significant out-licensing transactions provide Immunic with an invaluable and proven skill as we draw closer to completion of vidofludimus calcium's phase 3 ENSURE program."
He said the appointment "reflects our commitment to both commercial and partnership preparedness and comes at a particularly important and exciting time with the upcoming read-out of our phase 2 CALLIPER trial in progressive MS expected in April 2025 and the completion of our twin phase 3 ENSURE trials in relapsing MS expected in the second quarter and the second half of 2026, respectively."
Tardio most recently served as COO of Nasdaq-listed Ovid Therapeutics from 2019 to 2021, where he led all functions of commercial business, with an emphasis in transitioning the company from a pre-commercial entity into a fully integrated and program-oriented commercial enterprise.
At Novartis AG (ADR) (NYSE:NVS) he was vice president, head of the multiple sclerosis franchise from September 2018 to November 2019, where he launched its Mayzent drug and was responsible for developing and managing all aspects of the US commercial plan, brand P&L, strategy development and go-to-market modeling for the MS franchise.
He spent nine years before that at Biogen Inc (NASDAQ:BIIB, ETR:IDP), latterly as general manager, managing director for the Latin America South affiliate, following a range of sales and marketing roles.
Immunic said Werner Gladdines, current VP for program management & clinical development operations, has been promoted to chief development officer.
The company said Gladdines, joined in January 2021 as head of the IMU-838 program, now known as vidofludimus calcium, will in his new role take on additional strategic and operational responsibility for Immunic's overall clinical operations functions.