Former Novartis exec to be CMO at Inflazome

Ireland-headquartered pioneering inflammasone company Inflazome has announced the appointment of Dr Thomas Jung as its chief medical officer.

Dr Jung joins Inflazome’s senior management team to lead the clinical development of its potent and selective small-molecule inhibitors of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Dr Jung will oversee the company's global operations related to the development of Inflazome’s lead and next-generation compounds across a range of therapeutic indications; and will work collaboratively with Dr Jeff Thompson, Inflazome’s head of clinical operations and Joanna Tufnell, head of regulatory affairs.

During his career at Novartis (NOVN: VX), Dr Jung was a member of the Novartis Institute of Biomedical Research and Novartis Pharma for 13 years. His primary focus of immunological research was the study of innovative anti-inflammatory principles. He led the canakinumab (Ilaris) team in the USA and European Union, from bench to first approval for CAPS (Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes, a rare monogenetic disease). Dr Jung was also central to its expansion strategy into indications such as systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, gout and other rare fever syndromes.