Immunic announced the appointment of biopharmaceutical executive Erik Lundgren as chief executive officer, with employment beginning on June 1, 2026. Lundgren succeeds Daniel Vitt, Ph.D., who will continue to oversee scientific strategy and portfolio advancement while remaining on the company’s board of directors.
The leadership transition comes as Immunic advances its lead candidate, vidofludimus calcium, through late-stage clinical development. The company is currently conducting the pivotal phase 3 ENSURE program in relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) and is planning a phase 3 program in primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). Immunic is also preparing for a potential new drug application filing, regulatory review, and commercialization efforts.
Immunic’s board selected Lundgren to help guide the company through its next phase of growth as it transitions toward becoming a commercial-stage neurology company. The company expects a pivotal phase 3 RMS data readout by the end of 2026 and is laying the groundwork for potential commercialization if the program is successful.
Lundgren brings nearly two decades of biopharmaceutical industry experience spanning commercial strategy, product launches, global portfolio leadership, marketing, and general management. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President of the Commercial Portfolio Organization at Genentech, where he oversaw commercial strategy across the company’s therapeutic areas. Prior to that role, he was General Manager of Roche Czech Republic and also served as Lifecycle Leader for Huntington’s disease within Roche’s neuroscience portfolio.
He spent more than 10 years at Genentech in positions of increasing responsibility, including serving as Senior Marketing Director during the launch and commercialization of Ocrevus, a treatment for both RMS and PPMS that became one of the most successful launches in neurology. Lundgren also supported the launches of oncology therapies Kadcyla and Zelboraf and held multiple sales leadership positions within Genentech’s oncology business.
Lundgren earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from Duke University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
As part of his appointment, Immunic granted Lundgren an inducement equity option to purchase 1 million shares of the company’s common stock under its 2026 Inducement Equity Compensation Plan. The award vests over four years, beginning with 25% vesting on the one-year anniversary of May 22, 2026, followed by monthly vesting installments over the subsequent three years.
Immunic is a late-stage biotechnology company developing oral therapies for neurologic diseases. Its lead program, vidofludimus calcium (IMU-838), is currently in phase 3 trials for relapsing multiple sclerosis, with top-line data expected by the end of 2026. The company is also advancing earlier-stage candidates IMU-856 and IMU-381 focused on neurodegenerative, chronic inflammatory, and autoimmune-related diseases.
KEY QUOTES:
“Immunic has evolved into a global late-stage biotechnology company built around its lead asset, vidofludimus calcium, which we believe represents one of the most compelling and differentiated opportunities in multiple sclerosis (MS) today. As we look to our next phase of growth, including the pivotal phase 3 RMS data readout expected by year-end, preparations for NDA filing in this indication and potential commercialization thereafter, Erik’s experience will be invaluable. I look forward to working with him as we continue transitioning Immunic toward a commercial-stage neurology company and deliver a potential next-generation treatment option for people living with MS.”
Michael W. Bonney, Chair, Immunic Board of Directors
“I am truly honored to be joining Immunic at such an exciting and pivotal moment. Over the past decade, the treatment landscape for MS has advanced meaningfully, broadening what is possible for people living with this complex disease. Yet a large unmet need remains, particularly for treatment options with the potential to slow disability progression and preserve neurological function. Vidofludimus calcium’s potential to treat MS by targeting both immunological and neuroprotective pathways, along with a safety and tolerability profile that appears favorable to date, offers a differentiated approach within the MS therapeutic landscape, with the chance to impact both relapsing and progressive forms of the disease. Having spent my career focused on bringing innovative medicines to patients, including those with MS, I believe Immunic is uniquely positioned to advance this important program through late-stage development and potential commercialization. I look forward to working alongside the talented team at Immunic to help realize that vision.”
Erik Lundgren, Chief Executive Officer, Immunic
“Erik is highly accomplished and possesses the strategic, operational and commercial know-how needed to steer Immunic at this critical juncture. His deep expertise in MS, including his role in helping shape the launch of Ocrevus®, combined with his long tenure and broad experience across Genentech and Roche, will be instrumental as we advance vidofludimus calcium through the pivotal phase 3 ENSURE readout in RMS and continue preparations for our planned phase 3 program in PPMS. As we approach these important milestones and continue our evolution toward becoming a commercial-stage biotechnology company, I am convinced that Erik is the right leader to guide Immunic into its next chapter. I look forward to continuing to support the company’s scientific strategy and working alongside Erik and the Board to realize the full potential of our pipeline.”
Daniel Vitt, Ph.D., Board Member and Former Chief Executive Officer, Immunic
