iQure Pharma, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on treating CNS disorders by restoring glutamate balance, announced the appointment of Prof. Dr. Iris Loew-Friedrich as Clinical and R&D Advisor. The appointment brings significant pharmaceutical development expertise to the company as it advances its novel therapeutic approach targeting excitotoxicity.
Extensive Pharmaceutical Leadership Experience
Loew-Friedrich brings over 30 years of global leadership in clinical development, regulatory strategy, and pharmaceutical R&D execution. From 2008 to 2024, she served as Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, and Head of Development at UCB, where she led global clinical programs across CNS, immunology, and rare diseases.
Her leadership at UCB contributed to the regulatory approvals of multiple therapeutic agents, including bimekizumab (Bimzelx®), rozanolixizumab (Rystiggo®), zilucoplan (Zilbrysq®), brivaracetam (Briviact®), and romosozumab (Evenity®), achieving regulatory success across the U.S., EU, and international markets. She chaired UCB's Benefit-Risk Board and held global responsibility for Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Safety/Pharmacovigilance, Real World Evidence, Biometrics, and Medical Affairs.
Track Record of Drug Development Success
Prior to UCB's acquisition of Schwarz Pharma in 2007, Loew-Friedrich formed and led Schwarz's integrated global development organization. Under her leadership, Schwarz advanced lacosamide (Vimpat®), rotigotine (Neupro®), and fesoterodine (Toviaz®), including through strategic partnerships with Pfizer and Otsuka.
Earlier in her career, she held senior leadership roles at BASF Pharma, Aventis, and Hoechst Marion Roussel, where she directed global programs including adalimumab (Humira®), leflunomide (Arava®), and risedronate (Actonel®). She served as key presenter to the FDA Arthritis Advisory Committee for Arava, demonstrating her regulatory expertise.
Clinical and Scientific Background
A trained physician with board certification in internal medicine, Loew-Friedrich holds a PhD in cell biology and began her career as a physician-scientist and Associate Professor at the University Hospital Frankfurt, providing both clinical and research perspectives to her pharmaceutical development work.
Strategic Impact on iQure's Development
"We're excited to welcome Iris to the iQure team," said Pawel Zolnierczyk, CEO of iQure Pharma. "She brings hands-on leadership in clinical development, shaped by decades of experience advancing programs through global approval. Having her guidance significantly strengthens our ability to shape a development plan that aligns with our ambitions to grow."
iQure's Novel Therapeutic Approach
iQure is advancing a new therapeutic approach for CNS disorders by restoring glutamate homeostasis. The company's science targets one of the core functions of astrocytes: the regulation of glutamate uptake, essential for maintaining synaptic balance and protecting neurons from overstimulation. By enhancing the function of the main transporter involved in this process, iQure aims to break the cycle of excitotoxicity, a feedback loop that drives neuronal damage and disease progression across a broad range of CNS conditions.
The company's lead asset, iQ-007, is a first-in-class, orally available small molecule that enhances the activity of the main glutamate transporter. Currently in Phase 1 clinical development for treatment-resistant epilepsy, iQ-007 provides the first clinical validation of iQure's approach. Beyond epilepsy, the company is advancing additional preclinical programs targeting neurodegeneration and pain.
