Faron Pharmaceuticals names interim chief medical officer

Cancer immunotherapy-focussed biopharmaceutical firm Faron Pharmaceuticals named Dr Birge Berns as its interim chief medical officer on Thursday, with the transition becoming effective on 22 September, with Dr Berns operating from the UK.

The AIM-traded firm said the appointment followed the decision of its current CMO, Dr Marie-Louise Fjällskog, to step down.

However, Dr Fjällskog's expertise would remain within the company's purview.

The board said it would propose at the extraordinary general meeting on 22 September for Dr Fjällskog to take up a non-executive director position.

That strategic move would ensure that she would continue to have a pivotal role in the growth of Faron's signature immunotherapy asset, bexmarilimab.

Faron said her clinical and regulatory insights were expected to be vital in steering the company forward.

The new CMO, Dr Berns, boasted an impressive resume.

With over a quarter-century of leadership experience in the pharmaceutical industry, her credentials included stints at global pharmaceutical giants like Sanofi Aventis and Johnson & Johnson.

Her vast knowledge spanned across oncology, clinical medicine, rheumatology, and immunology, making her a significant asset to the Faron team.

“I am delighted to welcome Birge to Faron as the interim chief medical officer as we progress our ambitious clinical development program for bexmarilimab,” said chief executive officer Dr Markku Jalkanen.

“With her extensive experience in oncology clinical development, business acumen and broad scientific and medical knowledge, she is exceptionally well qualified to advance our plans and progress development of what we hope will be the first macrophage-targeting immunotherapy for patients with aggressive haematological malignancies.

“I am also very pleased that Faron will continue to benefit from the support of Marie-Louise in her proposed new role as the board member and would like to thank her for her great contributions to this company's progress during her time as chief medical officer.”

At 1336 BST, shares in Faron Pharmaceuticals were down 2.12% at 323p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.