Imugene Ltd (ASX:IMU) has bolstered its executive leadership team through the appointment of Dr Rita Laeufle as chief medical officer.
Laeufle will lead the global clinical development, regulatory and medical monitoring activities, replacing Dr Mark Marino who is stepping down from his position.
As a board-certified surgical oncologist, Laeufle has extensive clinical development experience in immune-oncology studies from phase-1 to phase-3 in breast and gastrointestinal cancers.
She brings deep experience to Imugene, having held senior level clinical development, leadership and senior medical positions at top tier pharmaceuticals companies including Hoffman-La Roche AG and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.
“Valuable contribution”
Managing director and CEO Leslie Chong said: “We look forward to the valuable contribution De Laeufle will make to advance our important immune-oncology programs and are very pleased someone with her track record and experience is joining Imungene as chief medical officer.”
Laeufle holds Medical Doctor and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the Albert Ludwig University Freiburg i.Br. Germany – her PhD subject was expression of neu/c-erB-2 (HER-2) in human brain tumors.
Most recently, Laeufle was the chief medical officer at leading oncolytic virus company Oncolytic Biotech in San Diego, California, where she will be based.
Safer treatments for the benefit of patients
Imugene executive chairman Paul Hopper said: “Rita adds a critical capability to our senior leadership team and we are pleased to welcome her to Imugne.
“We thank Dr Marino for his valuable contribution over the past two years and we wish him well in his future endeavours.”
Laeufle said: “Today, our knowledge and understanding of cancer biology has reached new dimensions.
“I am enthusiastic to join this wonderful team of experts at Imugene, together we will drive towards better and safer treatments for the benefit of patients.”