Altimmune, Inc. announced that its current Chairman, Jerry Durso, will become President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 1 2026, while the incumbent CEO, Vipin Garg, Ph.D., will step down and remain an advisor until June 30 2026.
Durso brings a decade of experience leading liver‑focused therapeutics, most recently as CEO of Intercept Pharmaceuticals. His track record of scaling clinical programs and navigating late‑stage development aligns with Altimmune’s goal of advancing pemvidutide toward commercialization. The company’s board cited Durso’s deep industry expertise and his history of driving growth in metabolic and liver disease indications as key reasons for the transition.
The leadership change comes as Altimmune’s flagship candidate, pemvidutide, moves into Phase 3 trials for obesity and metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatohepatitis (MASH). The company also plans to launch new studies in alcohol use disorder (AUD) and alcohol‑associated liver disease (ALD). Durso’s experience in liver disease therapeutics is expected to accelerate these programs and support the company’s strategy of positioning pemvidutide as a first‑in‑class treatment across multiple indications.
Financially, Altimmune reported $210.8 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short‑term investments as of September 30 2025, a 60 % increase from December 31 2024. The company has also expanded its debt facility with Hercules Capital, providing additional liquidity to fund ongoing and upcoming clinical trials. These resources give Durso a solid foundation to pursue the company’s late‑stage development agenda without compromising financial stability.
In a statement, Durso said, “I am excited to lead Altimmune into its next growth phase and to build on the strong foundation laid by Dr. Garg. Our focus on pemvidutide’s potential to transform care for liver and metabolic diseases will drive value for patients and stakeholders alike.” Dr. Garg added, “I am proud of the progress we have made and confident that Jerry’s leadership will accelerate our mission to bring pemvidutide to patients worldwide.”
The transition signals continuity in Altimmune’s strategic focus while injecting new leadership with a proven track record in liver therapeutics. Investors view the appointment as a positive step toward achieving key clinical milestones and maintaining momentum in a competitive therapeutic space.
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