On August 2, 2018 Omeros Corporation (Nasdaq: OMER) reported that Eckhard Leifke, M.D. has been named Omeros’ Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Clinical Development (Press release, Omeros, AUG 2, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2361629 [SID1234528382]). In this role, Dr. Leifke will oversee clinical science & operations, medical affairs and pharmacovigilance. He assumes these corporate responsibilities from J. Steven Whitaker, M.D., J.D., Vice President of Clinical Development, who will now focus primarily on driving the clinical aspects of Omeros’ MASP-2 antibody – OMS721 – toward U.S. and international regulatory approvals in hematopoietic stem cell transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (HSCT-TMA).
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"I am excited to join Omeros’ leadership team," said Dr. Leifke. "I am impressed by the quality of Omeros’ pipeline and by the sense of urgency within the company to advance these programs to improve the lives of patients. With input from thought leaders and their patients who are affected by the serious conditions for which Omeros is developing novel therapeutics, my top priority is to continue accelerating the company’s clinical programs toward successful commercialization."
Dr. Leifke brings to Omeros more than 20 years of drug development experience, having built and headed global teams at leading pharmaceutical companies including Bayer, Takeda and, most recently, Sanofi where he was Global Project Head/Vice President of Early Project & External Opportunities – Cardiovascular and Metabolism and Global Head/Vice President of Late-Stage Development Diabetes. He has led the global development of multiple early- and late-stage small-molecule and biologic drug candidates to successful market authorizations in the USA, Europe, Japan and other countries.
"We’re pleased to welcome Eckhard to our senior leadership team, and I expect that his proven track record and thoughtful approach to strategic drug development globally will be valuable assets for Omeros," said Gregory A. Demopulos, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of Omeros. "This important and timely expansion of our clinical team underscores Omeros’ progress and our longstanding commitment to providing cutting-edge therapeutics to patients with disabling and life-threatening disorders. I’d like to recognize Steve Whitaker for his ongoing exemplification of that same commitment, and I look forward to his leading OMS721 to a successful outcome in stem-cell TMA, currently one of Omeros’ highest priorities."
Dr. Leifke holds a Medical Doctorate from the University of Freiburg, Germany, and is Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology.