Altimmune Board of Directors Appoints Jerry Durso as Chairman
Altimmune (NASDAQ:ALT) has appointed Jerry Durso as Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective August 12, 2025. The appointment comes as the company prepares for Phase 3 development of pemvidutide in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Durso, who joined the Board in February 2025, succeeds Mitchel Sayare, Ph.D., who will continue serving as an Independent Director.
The leadership transition aligns with Altimmune's planned advancement of pemvidutide, with an End-of-Phase 2 Meeting with the FDA scheduled for Q4 2025. Durso brings over 30 years of life sciences industry experience, most recently serving as CEO of Intercept Pharmaceuticals, where he led the company's successful rare liver disease franchise and its acquisition by Alfasigma.
Altimmune (NASDAQ:ALT) ha nominato Jerry Durso Presidente del Consiglio di Amministrazione, con effetto dal 12 agosto 2025. La nomina arriva mentre la società si prepara per la fase 3 dello sviluppo di pemvidutide nella steatoepatite associata a disfunzione metabolica (MASH). Durso, entrato nel Consiglio a febbraio 2025, succede a Mitchel Sayare, Ph.D., che continuerà a ricoprire il ruolo di amministratore indipendente.
La transizione alla guida è in linea con l'avanzamento previsto di pemvidutide, con un incontro di fine Fase 2 con la FDA previsto per il quarto trimestre 2025. Durso porta con sé oltre 30 anni di esperienza nell'industria delle scienze della vita, avendo ricoperto più recentemente il ruolo di CEO di Intercept Pharmaceuticals, dove ha guidato la riuscita divisione per le malattie epatiche rare e la relativa acquisizione da parte di Alfasigma.
Altimmune (NASDAQ:ALT) ha nombrado a Jerry Durso Presidente del Consejo de Administración, con efecto desde el 12 de agosto de 2025. El nombramiento se produce mientras la compañía se prepara para la fase 3 del desarrollo de pemvidutide en la esteatohepatitis asociada a disfunción metabólica (MASH). Durso, que se incorporó al Consejo en febrero de 2025, sucede a Mitchel Sayare, Ph.D., quien seguirá desempeñándose como Director Independiente.
La transición en el liderazgo se alinea con el avance planificado de pemvidutide, con una reunión de fin de Fase 2 con la FDA prevista para el cuarto trimestre de 2025. Durso aporta más de 30 años de experiencia en la industria de ciencias de la vida, habiendo sido recientemente CEO de Intercept Pharmaceuticals, donde dirigió la exitosa unidad de enfermedades hepáticas raras y su adquisición por Alfasigma.
Altimmune (NASDAQ:ALT)는 제리 더르소(Jerry Durso)를 2025년 8월 12일부로 이사회 의장(Chairman of the Board of Directors)으로 임명했습니다. 이 임명은 회사가 pemvidutide의 3상 개발을 위해 준비하는 가운데 이루어졌으며, 대상 질환은 대사 기능장애 관련 지방간염(MASH)입니다. 2025년 2월 이사회에 합류한 더르소는 Mitchel Sayare, Ph.D.의 뒤를 이었으며 Sayare 박사는 계속해서 독립 이사로 활동할 예정입니다.
이번 리더십 교체는 pemvidutide의 계획된 진전에 부합하며, FDA와의 2상 종료 회의(End-of-Phase 2 Meeting)는 2025년 4분기로 예정되어 있습니다. 더르소는 30년 이상 생명과학 산업 경력을 보유하고 있으며, 최근에는 Intercept Pharmaceuticals의 CEO로 재직하면서 희귀 간 질환 분야의 성공적인 사업을 이끌고 Alfasigma에 인수되는 과정을 주도했습니다.
Altimmune (NASDAQ:ALT) a nommé Jerry Durso président du conseil d'administration, à compter du 12 août 2025. Cette nomination intervient alors que la société se prépare pour la phase 3 du développement de pemvidutide dans la stéato‑hépatite associée à un dysfonctionnement métabolique (MASH). Durso, qui a rejoint le conseil en février 2025, succède à Mitchel Sayare, Ph.D., qui continuera d'exercer en tant qu'administrateur indépendant.
La transition de direction s'inscrit dans la progression prévue de pemvidutide, avec une réunion de fin de phase 2 avec la FDA prévue pour le quatrième trimestre 2025. Durso apporte plus de 30 ans d'expérience dans l'industrie des sciences de la vie, ayant récemment été CEO d'Intercept Pharmaceuticals, où il a dirigé la franchise réussie dédiée aux maladies hépatiques rares et supervisé son acquisition par Alfasigma.
Altimmune (NASDAQ:ALT) hat Jerry Durso zum Vorsitzenden des Vorstands ernannt, wirksam ab dem 12. August 2025. Die Ernennung erfolgt, während das Unternehmen die Phase‑3‑Entwicklung von pemvidutide bei Steatohepatitis im Zusammenhang mit metabolischer Funktionsstörung (MASH) vorbereitet. Durso, der im Februar 2025 in den Vorstand eingetreten ist, folgt auf Mitchel Sayare, Ph.D., der weiterhin als unabhängiges Mitglied des Vorstands tätig sein wird.
Der Führungswechsel steht im Einklang mit dem geplanten Fortgang von pemvidutide, wobei ein End‑of‑Phase‑2‑Meeting mit der FDA für das 4. Quartal 2025 angesetzt ist. Durso bringt über 30 Jahre Erfahrung in der Life‑Sciences‑Branche mit, zuletzt als CEO von Intercept Pharmaceuticals, wo er die erfolgreiche Sparte für seltene Lebererkrankungen leitete und den Verkauf an Alfasigma begleitete.
- None.
- Company still in clinical-stage with no commercialized products
- Pending FDA meeting outcome creates regulatory uncertainty
Insights
Durso's appointment as Chairman strategically positions Altimmune for pemvidutide's commercial pathway as it advances to Phase 3 MASH trials.
This leadership transition represents a strategic inflection point for Altimmune as it prepares for the critical Phase 3 development of pemvidutide in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). The appointment of Jerry Durso as Chairman is particularly significant given his extensive commercial background at Intercept Pharmaceuticals, where he built a successful rare liver disease franchise that culminated in an acquisition by Alfasigma.
Durso's appointment signals Altimmune's shift from clinical development toward commercialization planning. His experience at Intercept is directly relevant as that company developed treatments in the same therapeutic area (liver disease) that Altimmune is now targeting. The timing ahead of the FDA End-of-Phase 2 Meeting in Q4 2025 suggests the board is positioning itself for the regulatory discussions that will define the path to market.
The reference to "recent topline data from the IMPACT trial" suggests pemvidutide has shown promising clinical results, though specific efficacy data isn't detailed. MASH represents a substantial market opportunity with limited treatment options currently available. Intercept's experience commercializing in the liver disease space provides Durso with unique insights into the challenges Altimmune will face.
This board restructuring demonstrates forward-looking governance as Altimmune transitions from a clinical-stage to a potentially commercial organization, with Dr. Sayare's continued presence maintaining institutional knowledge while empowering commercial leadership.
Appointment recognizes Mr. Durso’s extensive commercial expertise as Altimmune prepares for Phase 3 development of pemvidutide in MASH
Mitchel Sayare, Ph.D., to remain on the Board as Independent Director
GAITHERSBURG, Md., Aug. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Altimmune, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALT), a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel peptide-based therapeutics for liver and cardiometabolic diseases, today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Jerry Durso as Chairman, effective August 12, 2025. Mr. Durso succeeds Mitchel Sayare, Ph.D., who will continue to serve on the Board as an Independent Director.
The leadership transition is part of the Board’s ongoing succession planning and aligns with the Company’s planned advancement into Phase 3 development of pemvidutide in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Altimmune expects to hold an End-of-Phase 2 Meeting with the FDA for MASH in the fourth quarter of 2025.
“On behalf of my fellow Directors, I extend our congratulations to Jerry on his appointment,” said Vipin K. Garg, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Altimmune. “In a short time, Jerry has made a significant impact and I expect the value of his contributions to increase even further in this new role. I would also like to express our gratitude to Mitch for his leadership over the past seven years as Chairman. His guidance has been instrumental to our growth, and we look forward to his continued contributions as a valued member of the Board.”
“I am honored to succeed Mitch and assume the role of Chairman during this exciting stage at Altimmune as we work toward transitioning to a late clinical-stage company,” said Mr. Durso. “Pemvidutide has a compelling and differentiated therapeutic profile that was reinforced by the recent topline data from the IMPACT trial in MASH. I look forward to working closely with Vipin and the leadership team to support Altimmune’s strategy to advance pemvidutide, create value for our stakeholders and support the patient community.”
Dr. Sayare added, “Since joining the Board earlier this year, Jerry has contributed immeasurably to the ongoing evolution of our corporate strategy. As we prepare for Phase 3 development of pemvidutide in MASH, I believe this is the right time to shift the Board leadership to emphasize commercial and corporate development expertise. Jerry’s experience and successful track record make him exceptionally well suited to lead us through this next phase and I look forward to supporting him in my continued role on the Board.”
Mr. Durso joined the Board in February 2025 and brings more than 30 years of results-oriented leadership experience in the life sciences industry, with deep expertise in corporate and commercial strategy, business development and operations. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors at Intercept Pharmaceuticals, where he built a successful rare liver disease franchise and ultimately led the company through its acquisition by Alfasigma. Prior to his time at Intercept, Mr. Durso spent over two decades at Sanofi, where he held multiple senior leadership positions, including Chief Commercial Officer of the Company’s Global Diabetes Division, Chief Commercial Officer of its U.S. Pharmaceuticals business and Head of its U.S. Cardiovascular and Specialized Therapeutic Business Units. He holds a BBA in marketing from the University of Notre Dame.
About Altimmune
Altimmune is a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel peptide-based therapeutics for liver and cardiometabolic diseases. The Company’s lead program is pemvidutide, a GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonist for the treatment of MASH, Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease (ALD) and obesity. For more information, please visit www.altimmune.com.
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Forward-Looking Statement
Any statements made in this press release related to the development or commercialization of pemvidutide, an investigational product candidate, and other business and financial matters including without limitation, clinical trial study design, status, correspondence, results and data, the timing of key milestones for the Company’s clinical assets, future plans or expectations for pemvidutide for the treatment of MASH, AUD, ALD and obesity, and the prospects for receiving regulatory approval or commercializing or selling any product or drug candidates and the impact of the changes to our leadership and governance structure, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, when or if used in this press release, the words "may," "could," "should," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "predict" and similar expressions and their variants, as they relate to Altimmune, Inc. may identify forward-looking statements. The Company cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which change over time. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or historical experience include risks and uncertainties, including risks relating to: delays in regulatory review, manufacturing and supply chain interruptions, access to clinical sites, enrollment, adverse effects on healthcare systems and disruption of the global economy; the reliability of the results of studies relating to human safety and possible adverse effects resulting from the administration of the Company's product candidates; the Company's ability to manufacture clinical trial materials on the timelines anticipated; and the success of future product advancements, including the success of future clinical trials. Further information on the factors and risks that could affect the Company's business, financial conditions and results of operations are contained in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly report on Form 10-Q and the Company’s other filings with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov.
Company Contact:
Greg Weaver
Chief Financial Officer
Phone: 240-654-1450
ir@altimmune.com
Investor Contact:
Lee Roth
Burns McClellan
Phone: 646-382-3403
lroth@burnsmc.com
Media Contact:
Jake Robison
Inizio Evoke, Biotech
Phone: 619-849-5383
Jake.robison@inizioevoke.com
This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.
FAQ
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