Immedica Expands U.S. Presence, Adds Former Horizon Executive to Team

Immedica Expands U.S. Presence, Adds Former Horizon Executive to Team

by John Conrad| Sep 24, 2024| Member News, NewsBrief

Swedish rare disease specialist Immedica Pharma AB continues to strengthen its position in the U.S. market with two significant announcements this month.

Chicago Becomes U.S. Base for Global Rare Disease Company

On September 9th, Immedica revealed plans to establish its U.S. headquarters in Chicago. The new entity, Immedica Pharma US Inc., will spearhead the company's efforts to introduce innovative therapies for rare and severe diseases in North America.

CEO Anders Edvell emphasized the strategic importance of this move, stating, "This expansion into the U.S. is a pivotal moment for Immedica as we continue our mission to deliver life-changing therapies to people living with rare diseases."

Joe Whalen Joins Immedica's Business Development Team

In a further boost to its U.S. operations, Immedica announced today (September 24, 2024) that Joe Whalen, formerly of Horizon Therapeutics, has joined its business development team.

Whalen brings over a decade of experience from Horizon, where he played a crucial role in the company's growth from a 20-employee startup to a pharmaceutical giant with $3.6 billion in net sales. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President of Alliances & Business Development at Amgen, overseeing Horizon's integration following its $28 billion acquisition in 2023.

At Immedica, Whalen will focus on business development initiatives primarily in the U.S., working part-time under a consultancy agreement from the Chicago area. He will report directly to Immedica's Head of Business Development.

Anders Edvell expressed enthusiasm about the new addition, saying, "Joe's vast industry knowledge and successful track record in strategic deal-making will be key as we continue to drive growth and expand Immedica's footprint in the rare disease and specialty care sectors."

These developments underscore Immedica's commitment to becoming a global leader in the rare disease sector and signal an exciting new chapter for the company's U.S. operations.

Read the press release