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Altimmune Appoints Industry Veteran Christophe Arbet-Engels, M.D., PhD as Chief Medical Officer to Drive Next Phase of Clinical Development of Pemvidutide
Seasoned clinical leader to oversee Phase 3 development of pemvidutide in MASH Dr. Arbet-Engels has led late-stage development, regulatory approvals and
About this update from Altimmune, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Seasoned clinical leader to oversee Phase 3 development of pemvidutide in MASH Dr. Arbet-Engels has led late-stage development, regulatory approvals and commercial launches for multiple successful franchises GAITHERSBURG, Md., Sept. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Altimmune, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALT), a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel peptide-based therapeutics for liver and cardiometabolic diseases, today announced the appointment of Christophe Arbet-Engels, MD, PhD as Chief Medical Officer, effective October 1, 2025. Dr. Arbet-Engels joins the Company with more than 30 years of experience spanning industry, academia and private practice, and will lead the ongoing clinical development of pemvidutide including the planned Phase 3 trial in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). He succeeds Scott Harris, M.D., who earlier this year informed the Company of his plans to retire from the position. Dr. Harris will remain with the Company as a Senior Strategic Advisor until February 2026. “We are thrilled to welcome Christophe to the team at this crucial juncture in Altimmune’s evolution,” said Vipin K. Garg, Ph.D., President and CEO of Altimmune. “He brings a wealth of experience across mid- and late-stage clinical development, regulatory approvals and commercial launches that will be invaluable as we continue to advance pemvidutide and work toward our mission of establishing a new standard of care in the treatment of hepato-metabolic disorders. On behalf of the executive team and Board of Directors, I would also like to thank Scott for his instrumental contributions over the last six years. His oversight of the pemvidutide program through multiple INDs and clinical trials has positioned us well as we prepare to enter Phase 3 development in MASH.” Dr. Arbet-Engels added, “I am proud to join the talented leadership team at Altimmune and excited to lead the development of a therapy as promising as pemvidutide. The data generated to date reinforces the highly differentiated profile of pemvidutide as well as its category-leading potential in MASH. With upcoming 48 week data from the IMPACT trial in MASH, as well as the ongoing Phase 2 trials in Alcohol Use Disorder and Alcohol-associated Liver Disease, pemvidutide presents an exciting opportunity to disrupt the treatment paradigm in three highly preva...