ImmuPharma PLC (LON:IMM) appointed its chief operating officer, Dr Tim Franklin, to the board.
He has been with the drug developer for three years, starting as a consultant, and was appointed COO last November.
He works closely with the clinical team and scientific advisors and will lead the relationship with Avion Pharmaceuticals, which is advancing the ImmuPharma-developed lupus treatment Lupuzor through phase III clinical trials.
Franklin has 30 years' experience in clinical research, sales and marketing with businesses such as Warner-Lambert, Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham.
Chairman Tim McCarthy said: "It is a pleasure to welcome Tim onto the board of directors.
“He has made an invaluable contribution to ImmuPharma over the last three years.
“During this time, he played a key role in negotiations, which resulted in the successful conclusion of the licensing deal with Avion Pharmaceuticals, our partner for Lupuzor, which is now close to embarking on its international phase III trial.
“His extensive pharmaceutical and capital markets experience will contribute enormously to the team as we look to move into the next phase of our journey for the company."