Realm Therapeutics plc, (formerly PuriCore plc), an emerging specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on leveraging its proprietary immunomodulatory technology, is pleased to announce that Ivan Gergel, M.D. has been appointed as a non-executive director to the company. Dr Gergel will join the Board of Realm Therapeutics on 1 January 2017.
Dr Gergel is currently senior vice president drug development and chief medical officer at Nektar Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in San Francisco. Prior to Nektar Therapeutics, Dr Gergel held various positions in the biopharmaceutical industry. He was executive vice president R&D and chief scientific officer at Endo Pharmaceuticals and a senior vice president R&D at Forest Laboratories (subsequently acquired by Actavis/Allergan) and has advanced multiple compounds from research through approval. Dr Gergel began his career as a practicing psychiatrist before moving to SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals where he held several roles, including Group Director, CNS in the US.
Dr Gergel received his MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He has been a Board member of Corium International since 2014. His prior Committee memberships include PhRMA Foundation, Pennsylvania Bio and USA-India Chamber of Commerce Scientific Advisory Board.
The company further announces that current Non-Executive Director, Peter Larkin, will step down from the Board on 31 December 2016. Larkin, President and CEO of the National Grocer’s Association, joined the Board in early 2013, bringing significant experience in the Supermarket Retail sector. Following the sale of the Supermarket Retail business, Mr Larkin will resign from the Board to allow the addition of a biopharmaceutical sector specialist.
Charles Spicer, Non-Executive Chairman of Realm Therapeutics, said: “I am delighted to welcome Ivan to the Board. His impressive background and wealth of experience in biopharmaceutical drug development will be invaluable as we progress our pipeline and plans to initiate two Phase II clinical trials in 2017 following submission of the relevant Investigational New Drug applications to the FDA.
“The Board and I would also like to thank Peter for his many contributions during his tenure on the Board and in particular for his invaluable guidance in the sale of the Company’s Supermarket Retail business earlier this quarter. We will miss his presence on the Board and wish him all the best.”
Dr Gergel, Incoming Non-Executive Director of Realm Therapeutics, commented: “I am very excited to be joining the Board of Realm Therapeutics at a formative time for this emerging specialty biopharmaceutical company as it focuses on initiating its first planned clinical programs. I look forward to bringing my experience in both large and development stage companies to support achievement of the Company’s goals.”