Avalyn Pharma, which is developing inhaled formulations of pirfenidone and nintedanib for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, has announced the appointment of former Altavant Sciences Chief Medical Officer Howard M. Lazarus as Chief Medical Officer. Lazarus’s previous positions include Medical Expert/Executive Director in Clinical Development and Medical Affairs at Boehringer Ingelheim and Director, Medical Affairs for Pulmonary Hypertension at Gilead Sciences.
Lazarus said, “Joining the Avalyn team was a compelling proposition. The Avalyn mission of creating inhaled therapeutics for IPF and other interstitial lung diseases is an elegant approach to treating these serious, life-threatening diseases with the opportunity to enhance the lives of these underserved patients. I’m looking forward to working with the team to advance these product candidates into additional clinical trials and along their path towards approval by the regulatory agencies.”
Avalyn CEO Lyn Baranowski commented, “Howard’s appointment comes at a critical time in our clinical development. With AP-01 and AP-02 early clinical studies in pulmonary fibrosis now complete, we are working with our advisors and regulators to construct plans for the next clinical trials of these candidates. Howard’s experience in both drug development and clinical practice as a pulmonologist gives him valuable insights into the patient experience that will inform our clinical programs.”
Read the Avalyn Pharma press release.
