MS expert takes the helm

In mid-February, Immunic founder and CEO Dr Daniel Vitt announced that he would focus more on a science-oriented leadership role in the future and make way for a successor with proven expertise in MS and marketing. That experienced CEO has now been found: Erik Lundgren took up his new position at Immunic, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMUX), based in Gräfelfing near Munich, at the beginning of June.

Lundgren has nearly two decades of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. He has held various management roles and possesses the desired expertise in the field of multiple sclerosis. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President of the Commercial Portfolio Organization at Genentech (a Roche Group company), where he led and oversaw the business strategy for all therapeutic areas of the company’s extensive portfolio. Prior to that, as General Manager of Roche Czech Republic, he was responsible for overall operations and commercial strategy. Before that, he served as Lifecycle Leader for Huntington’s disease within Roche’s neuroscience portfolio.

For more than ten years, Lundgren held positions of increasing responsibility at Genentech, including Senior Marketing Director. There, he oversaw the launch and marketing of Ocrevus® (ocrelizumab), a foundational therapy for RMS and PPMS. He also led various sales teams within Genentech’s Oncology business unit.

The leadership change at the biotech company comes at a pivotal moment for Immunic. The company is currently advancing vidofludimus calcium through late-stage clinical development, including the pivotal Phase III ENSURE program in relapsing MS and a planned Phase III program in primary progressive MS. Immunic expects top-line data for these programs by the end of 2026. In parallel, the company is preparing for a potential regulatory filing, regulatory approvals, and subsequent commercialization.