Inhaled drug developer Savara has announced the appointments of former Strongbridge Biopharma executives Scott Wilhoit as Executive VP, Global Commercial, and Rob Lutz as Chief Operating Officer. The company also said that it had promoted Dave Lowrance from Chief Financial Officer to Chief Financial and Administrative Officer.
Wilhoit, who has been a part-time advisor to the company, was previously Chief Commercial Officer and Strongbridge Biopharma (now Xeris) and has held executive roles at Marathon Pharmaceuticals, PTC Therapeutics, Clarus Therapeutics, NPS Pharma, Auxilium, and Biovail. Lutz served most recently as CFO and CBO of iBio after having served in both of those roles at Strongbridge. His previous experience also includes a number of roles at Shire Pharmaceuticals.
Savara is now concentrating on development of inhaled molgramostim for the treatment of autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP) after discontinuing development of that inhalation solution for NTM lung infections and halting its AeroVanc vancomycin DPI and Apulmiq (Linhaliq) inhaled liposomal ciprofloxacin programs over the past few years. The company announced the initiation of the Phase 3 IMPALA-2 trial of molgramostim for the treatment of aPAP in June 2021.
Savara Chair and CEO Matt Pauls commented, “We are pleased that Rob and Scott, two seasoned biotech leaders, have joined the Savara team as we enter a critical phase of development, including completing enrollment of IMPALA-2, delivering top line data by the end of 2Q 2024, and accelerating the development of the global aPAP market. . . . Our executive leadership team, strengthened by these new appointments, will continue to advance the molgramostim development program and begin planning to support its potential launch.”
Read the Savara press release.
