Hansa Biopharma AB announced today the immediate appointment of Renée Aguiar-Lucander as Chief Executive Officer, replacing Søren Tulstrup who is stepping down by mutual agreement after seven years of leadership at the company.
The transition comes as Hansa Biopharma seeks to enter what Board Chairman Peter Nicklin described as "a new phase of growth and development." Nicklin expressed gratitude to Tulstrup, noting his role in transforming Hansa "from a clinical-stage company into a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical organization."
Aguiar-Lucander joins Hansa with an impressive track record in both biopharmaceutical leadership and healthcare investment. She most recently served as CEO of Calliditas Therapeutics AB for seven years, where she successfully navigated the company through dual listings on NASDAQ in both Sweden and the United States.
Strategic Experience in Drug Commercialization
During her tenure at Calliditas, Aguiar-Lucander oversaw the successful launch and commercialization of the first-ever approved drug for immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy in the U.S. market. This experience could prove particularly valuable as Hansa continues its evolution as a commercial-stage organization.
"I am delighted and honored to take up the position of CEO of Hansa during these exciting and challenging times," said Aguiar-Lucander. "I hope to bring relevant perspectives from my previous roles, both with regards to capital raising and management, as well as insights regarding regulatory, commercial preparation and launch dynamics."
Prior to her leadership at Calliditas, which was acquired by Asahi Kasei Corporation of Japan in September 2024, Aguiar-Lucander built a substantial career in the healthcare investment sector. She held senior positions at investment funds including Omega Funds and 3i Group, bringing financial expertise that complements her biopharmaceutical experience.
Board Confidence in New Leadership
The Board of Directors expressed strong confidence in their selection, with Chairman Nicklin stating, "Renée brings extensive experience in both the biopharmaceutical and financial sectors, and her proven leadership will be instrumental in advancing the Company's strategic positioning."
He added, "The Board is confident that she is the right person to successfully lead Hansa through this next chapter, and we look forward to working closely with her."
The company announced that today's scheduled Q1 2025 interim results conference call will be hosted by Peter Nicklin, CFO Evan Ballantyne, and Chief R&D Officer Hitto Kaufmann, with Aguiar-Lucander joining the presentation.
The leadership change comes at a pivotal time for Hansa Biopharma as the company continues to navigate the complex landscape of biopharmaceutical development and commercialization, building on the foundation established during Tulstrup's tenure.
