Immunic Appoints Chitrang Davé as Chief Data and Digital Officer Ahead of Pivotal MS Readouts
核心洞察
Immunic, Inc. has appointed Chitrang Davé as its newly created Chief Data and Digital Officer, effective September 1, 2026, reporting directly to CEO Erik Lundgren.
The role will establish enterprise-wide data, analytics, AI, and digital capabilities to support the potential NDA submission and commercialization of vidofludimus calcium (IMU-838) in multiple sclerosis (搜索).
Top-line data from the Phase 3 ENSURE trials in relapsing MS are expected by year-end 2026, with a confirmatory Phase 3 program in progressive MS advancing.
Immunic, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMUX), a late-stage biotechnology company pioneering novel oral therapies for neurologic diseases, announced the appointment of Chitrang Davé as Chief Data and Digital Officer (CDDO), effective September 1, 2026. Mr. Davé will report directly to Chief Executive Officer Erik Lundgren and serve as a member of the executive leadership team.
In this newly created C-suite role, Mr. Davé will establish and lead Immunic's enterprise-wide data systems, analytics, AI, and digital strategy, building a unified organization spanning data science, data engineering, data management, and digital capabilities. The appointment is designed to support the company's transition from late-stage clinical development to commercial readiness, including preparation of the data package for the potential New Drug Application (NDA) submission and commercialization of vidofludimus calcium (IMU-838) in multiple sclerosis (搜索) (MS).
A Data Foundation for Pivotal Milestones
The appointment arrives at a pivotal juncture for Immunic's lead program. "With top-line data from our Phase 3 ENSURE trials of vidofludimus calcium in relapsing MS expected by year-end and preparations for our confirmatory Phase 3 program in progressive MS advancing, we intend to move decisively from pivotal data to regulatory filing to commercial execution," said Erik Lundgren, Chief Executive Officer of Immunic. "This key phase requires a strong data ecosystem. Chitrang has built exactly that kind of disruptive, data-driven enterprise capability across life sciences companies."
Mr. Davé emphasized the strategic opportunity presented by the company's pipeline. "Immunic is advancing a differentiated oral therapy with the potential to address significant unmet needs for patients across both relapsing and progressive forms of MS," he said. "With pivotal trial readouts ahead and potential NDA filing and commercialization on the horizon, there is a real opportunity to build a modern, commercial-ready data and digital foundation that supports the company through its next phase of growth."
Leadership Experience Across Life Sciences
Mr. Davé brings more than 25 years of global leadership experience building and scaling data, advanced analytics, AI, governance, and digital capabilities across regulated life sciences environments. He most recently served as Head of Enterprise Data, AI & Advanced Analytics at Avidity Biosciences, where he defined and operationalized enterprise data strategy for a rapidly growing biotech preparing for commercial launch, and translated AI strategy into a production portfolio spanning generative and agentic AI.
Prior to Avidity, he served as Global Head of Enterprise Data & Analytics at Edwards Lifesciences (搜索), where he led the company's global data and analytics organization. Earlier in his career, Mr. Davé spent 16 years at Medtronic in progressively senior data and analytics leadership roles, including Head of Data Products. He holds an MBA from Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor of Engineering from M.S. University in India.
Compensation Details
The Compensation Committee of Immunic's Board of Directors granted Mr. Davé an initial equity option to purchase 120,000 shares of common stock under the Immunic, Inc. 2026 Inducement Equity Compensation Plan. The Options were granted as an inducement material to Mr. Davé's commencement of employment pursuant to NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The Options will be time vested, with 25% vesting on the one-year anniversary of August 30, 2026 and the remainder vesting on a monthly basis in 36 equal installments.
Vidofludimus Calcium and the Broader Pipeline
Vidofludimus calcium (IMU-838) is currently being evaluated in Phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (搜索), with top-line data expected by the end of 2026. Initiation of an additional Phase 3 clinical trial in progressive MS is expected later in 2026. The candidate has shown therapeutic potential and a favorable safety and tolerability profile in Phase 2 clinical trials in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, progressive multiple sclerosis, and other diseases.
Vidofludimus calcium combines neuroprotective effects, through its mechanism as a first-in-class nuclear receptor-related 1 (Nurr1 (搜索)) activator, with additional anti-inflammatory and anti-viral effects by selectively inhibiting the enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (搜索) (DHODH (搜索)). The company's development pipeline also includes earlier-stage programs, including IMU-381 and IMU-856, aimed at building a broader therapeutics platform addressing neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases.