Savara has announced the appointment of Badrul Chowdhury, as Chief Medical Officer, a newly created position. From 2002-2018, Chowdhury was the Director of the FDA’s Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Rheumatology Products, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). Most recently, he was Senior VP, Chief Physician-Scientist for Respiratory, Inflammation, and Autoimmunity, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, at AstraZeneca.
In June 2019, Savara announced that the Phase 3 IMPALA study of its Molgradex inhaled recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for the treatment of autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP) failed to meet its primary endpoint. Molgradex is also in development for the treatment of NTM lung infections in non-cystic fibrosis patients and in CF patients.
Savara CEO Rob Neville commented, “It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome an accomplished regulatory strategist, Dr. Chowdhury, to the role of CMO. His appointment comes at a critical time as we continue discussions with the FDA and EMA on the best path forward for the Molgradex aPAP program. With two decades of regulatory leadership experience at the FDA’s Pulmonary Division, where he presided over numerous approvals of medicines for pulmonary and orphan diseases, Dr. Chowdhury brings a unique perspective to the company and we believe he will be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals.”
Chowdhury said, “As a physician and researcher with a passion for addressing significant unmet needs in pulmonary diseases, I am excited to join the Savara team. I am inspired by the company’s dedication to becoming THE orphan lung disease company, spearheaded by the Molgradex aPAP program. After reviewing the clinical data from the Phase 3 IMPALA study, I believe that Molgradex can provide a meaningful therapy for these patients. I look forward to working with the executive team to navigate the regulatory pathway for Molgradex in aPAP and the Company’s other pipeline programs.”
Read the Savara press release.
