Bacterial infections focussed Nabriva Therapeutics has appointed Francesco Maria Lavino as its chief commercial officer ahead of the group’s phase III clinical trial for lefamulin – a potential new treatment for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.
Lavino joins the Austrian clinical-stage biopharma firm from Merck & Co (MSD), bringing nearly two decades of pharmaceutical sales and marketing experience with expertise in anti-infective medications.
He said: “Nabriva Therapeutics is poised to introduce what is potentially the first new class of antibiotics for systemic human use in nearly two decades.
“I am looking forward to working with the management team to address serious medical needs in lung, skin and potentially other types of infections.”
Prior to serving MSD as its acting vice president, global brand leader anti-infective portfolio, he was vice president, international marketing for the anti-infectives portfolio at Cubist Pharmaceuticals. He has also held roles at UCB Pharma and 3M in Italy.
Colin Broom, chief executive officer of Nabriva, said: “Francesco has the right experience and leadership qualities to build out a fully integrate commercial team and hospital field force in the US, and I am delighted to welcome him as part of our team.”