Altimmune Appoints Former GSK Executive Catherine Angell Sohn, Pharm.D. to its Board of Directors

Rhea-AI Summary

Altimmune, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALT) has appointed Catherine Angell Sohn, Pharm.D., to its Board of Directors, effective March 27, 2023. Her extensive experience in pharmaceutical product development and commercialization is expected to benefit Altimmune’s mission to create next-generation peptide therapeutics for obesity and liver diseases. Currently an independent director at Jazz Pharmaceuticals and Axcella Health, Dr. Sohn previously held strategic roles at GlaxoSmithKline, driving significant acquisitions and launches. She aims to support Altimmune’s clinical pipeline, which includes pemvidutide for obesity and HepTcell™ for chronic hepatitis B.

Positive

• Catherine Sohn brings over 30 years of pharmaceutical experience, enhancing the Board's expertise.
• Her background in strategic product development and business development positions Altimmune for potential growth.
• Sohn's prior leadership in successful product launches may positively influence Altimmune's pipeline initiatives.

Negative

• Concerns could arise about continuity and integration of new strategies with Sohn's appointment.

GAITHERSBURG, Md., March 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Altimmune, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced the appointment of Catherine Angell Sohn, Pharm.D. to its Board of Directors.

“We are delighted to welcome Catherine to our Board of Directors,” said Vipin K. Garg, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer. “Her broad experience in the pharmaceutical industry including strategic product development, business development and commercialization will be invaluable to Altimmune as we pursue our mission to develop next generation peptide therapeutics for obesity and liver disease.”

Dr. Sohn added, “I am very honored and pleased to join the Altimmune Board of Directors, all of whom have deep experience in our industry. Altimmune is in a position to significantly impact the health of millions of patients with an exciting clinical stage pipeline and I look forward to supporting these important programs and the company along with my fellow Board Members.”

About Dr. Sohn

Dr. Sohn brings over 30 years of life sciences, biopharmaceutical and business development experience to Altimmune’s Board. Her business development and partnering expertise enhance her biopharmaceutical operating and strategy experience which spans Phase 2 strategic product development through commercialization across multiple therapeutic areas.

Dr. Sohn is currently an independent director on the boards of directors of Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Axcella Health and Maze Therapeutics and is Adjunct Professor at the University of California, School of Pharmacy. Additionally, she is an industry consultant to CEOs of private companies on inspirational leadership, strategy, product development, partnering and culture. Before retiring from GSK, she was Senior Vice President, Worldwide Business Development and Strategic Alliances at GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare and a member of the global executive team, where she led global, regional and U.S. acquisitions and licensing transactions. Previously, she was Vice President, Worldwide Strategic Product Development for the cardiovascular, metabolic, and pulmonary therapeutics areas at SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals plc overseeing the global launch of Coreg for CHF which became a $1 billion indication. Earlier in her career, she held a series of positions in Medical Affairs, Pharmaceutical Business Development and U.S. Product Marketing at SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals plc and its predecessor, Smith, Kline & French, including leading the commercial launches of the U.S. Vaccine Business and subsequently the company’s largest neuroscience product, both of which became blockbusters.

Dr. Sohn has previously served on the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Advisory Board and the UCSF Board of Overseers.  Dr. Sohn was named Woman of the Year by the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (2003), Distinguished Alum of the Year by the University of California, San Francisco (2000), and received the Frank Barnes Mentoring Award from the Licensing Executive Society (2009). She received a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of California, San Francisco, School of Pharmacy, a Corporate Directors Certificate from Harvard Business School, a Certificate of Professional Development from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, a Certificate from Berkeley Law for ESG: Navigating the Board's Role and is a Certified Licensing Professional Emeritus.

About Altimmune
Altimmune (the “Company”) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel peptide-based therapeutics for the treatment of obesity and liver diseases. The Company’s lead product candidate, pemvidutide (formerly ALT-801), is a GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonist that is being developed for the treatment of obesity and NASH. In addition, Altimmune is developing HepTcell™, an immunotherapeutic designed to achieve a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B. For more information, please visit www.altimmune.com.

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Investor & Media Contact:

Rich Eisenstadt
Chief Financial Officer
Phone: 240-654-1450
reisenstadt@altimmune.com

FAQ

What is the significance of Catherine Sohn's appointment to Altimmune's Board?

Catherine Sohn's appointment is significant as her extensive experience in pharmaceutical development may enhance Altimmune's strategic direction and operational effectiveness.

When was Dr. Sohn appointed to Altimmune's Board of Directors?

Dr. Catherine Angell Sohn was appointed to Altimmune's Board of Directors on March 27, 2023.

What expertise does Catherine Sohn bring to Altimmune?

Catherine Sohn brings over 30 years of experience in biopharmaceuticals, including product development and commercialization, which is expected to support Altimmune's growth.

How might Dr. Sohn's experience impact Altimmune's future?

Dr. Sohn's experience could positively impact Altimmune's future by guiding product development and strategic partnerships essential for advancing its clinical pipeline.

What are the key products Altimmune is currently developing?

Altimmune's key products include pemvidutide for obesity treatment and HepTcell™ aimed at achieving a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B.