HEPHAISTOS-Pharma Appoints Stephan Braun as Chief Medical Officer to Advance TLR4 Agonist HEPHA440 Toward Clinical Trials
Key Insights
HEPHAISTOS-Pharma (search) has appointed Stephan Braun, former Chief Medical Officer of ImCheck Therapeutics, as its new Chief Medical Officer to lead clinical development strategy.
The appointment comes as the company prepares to advance its lead candidate HEPHA440 (search), a third-generation TLR4 (search) agonist small molecule, into first-in-human studies.
HEPHA440 (search) is designed to activate the innate immune system by targeting myeloid cells within the tumor microenvironment and has demonstrated compelling anti-tumor activity in preclinical cancer models.
HEPHAISTOS-Pharma (search), a biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation innate immunotherapies for cancer, announced the appointment of Stephan Braun as Chief Medical Officer on May 19, 2026. The appointment positions the company to advance its lead candidate HEPHA440 (search), a third-generation TLR4 (search) agonist small molecule, toward first-in-human studies.
Strategic Leadership Addition
Braun brings extensive experience in translational and clinical development, with a proven track record in advancing innovative immuno-oncology programs from early development into clinical execution. He previously served as Chief Medical Officer of ImCheck Therapeutics, where he contributed to the clinical development of ICT01 and the momentum that led to the company's acquisition by Ipsen.
"I am very pleased to join HEPHAISTOS-Pharma (search) at such an important moment in its development," said Stephan Braun. "The company's science is highly compelling, and its approach to innate immune activation has the potential to address a major unmet need in oncology. I look forward to working with the team to build a strong clinical development strategy and bring HEPHA440 (search) closer to patients."
Strengthened Development Organization
The appointment further strengthens HEPHAISTOS-Pharma (search)'s development organization, which was recently reinforced with the addition of Frédérique Brune as Chief Development Officer and Delphine Brégeon as Head of CMC Operations. The team brings complementary expertise across medical strategy, development execution, CMC, regulatory preparation and clinical readiness.
"Stephan's appointment is a major milestone for HEPHAISTOS-Pharma (search)," said Frédéric Caroff, Chief Executive Officer. "As we move closer to clinical development, we are strengthening the company with the expertise required to translate our science into a rigorous, patient-focused clinical strategy. Stephan brings exactly the combination of oncology experience, translational insight and clinical execution that we need at this stage."
HEPHA440 Development Program
HEPHA440 (search) is specifically designed to activate the innate immune system while maintaining a high therapeutic index. The company's approach targets myeloid cells within the tumor microenvironment, pursuing the ambition to convert myeloid-rich tumors into immunotherapy responsive tumors.
The lead drug candidate has demonstrated compelling anti-tumor activity in a broad spectrum of preclinical models of cancers, both as a single agent and in combination with other immunotherapies. The drug also demonstrated favorable tolerability and a broad therapeutic window predicting safe and efficacious systemic administration in humans. HEPHA440 (search) is scheduled to enter clinical trials in 2027.
Clinical Development Strategy
As Chief Medical Officer, Braun will lead HEPHAISTOS-Pharma (search)'s clinical development strategy, including the preparation of first-in-human studies, clinical trial design, translational development and medical strategy as the company advances toward clinical-stage execution.
Braun's extensive background includes executive and leadership positions at CureTeq AG (search), Basilea (search), Ipsen, Parexel and Symphogen (search). At Amgen, he served as Medical Director of Clinical Development and Senior Medical Scientist, contributing to the development, approval and medical affairs activities of several drugs, including Aranesp, Xgeva and Vectibix.
From 1994 to 2008, he was a professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the medical universities of Munich and Innsbruck, where he built and led Breast Cancer Center and Gynecologic Oncology Center teams. He has authored 35 peer-reviewed publications and several book chapters in translational research and oncology, and is an active member of ASCO, AACR, ASH and ESMO.