The company’s new R&D leadership is led by Graham Heap, MD, PhD, who joins as President of Research and Development following his tenure at Takeda, where he managed the company’s global TYK2 immunology franchise. Joining him are Ezequiel Neimark, MD, as Head of Clinical Development; Taylor Spector, PhD, as Head of Medical Affairs; and Scott Stirn, DSc, as Head of Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC).

These appointments are intended to bolster the company’s internal expertise as it advances prifemilast. The drug, a once-daily oral inhibitor, is designed to target PDE4B while avoiding the adverse effects typically associated with PDE4D inhibition. With over 2.4 million people in the United States currently living with inflammatory bowel disease, the company aims to address a persistent gap in the market for effective, well-tolerated oral treatment alternatives to traditional biologics. CEO Bill Gerhart emphasized that the new team’s collective experience in immune-mediated disease development is essential for the firm’s upcoming global clinical milestones.