Apnimed Inc announced new leadership appointments as the company builds its commercial and human resource capabilities in support of AD109 (aroxybutynin/atomoxetine), a potential nighttime oral treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) currently in phase 3 clinical trials.
Graham Goodrich has joined the company as chief commercial officer and Ted Harding as chief human resources officer.
Goodrich has a track record of commercial success in launching and marketing brands. Recently, as a member of the commercial leadership team and senior vice president of Migraine Market at Biohaven, Goodrich led a team that developed a novel brand strategy, go-to-market model, and promotion plan to launch Nurtec ODT in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. After a successful launch and achieving category leadership, Pfizer acquired the Biohaven Migraine franchise assets and capabilities in October 2022 for $11.6 billion. Post-acquisition, Goodrich served as the US migraine franchise lead at Pfizer throughout 2023.
Prior to Biohaven, Goodrich held the role of vice president of cardiometabolic marketing at Boehringer Ingelheim and was the leader of a portfolio of pre-launch, newly launched, and mature cardiometabolic assets including Jardiance, Tradjenta, Basaglar, and Pradaxa, totaling more than $3.5 billion in annual new sales.
He also has experience in direct sales and marketing strategy for Merck & Co’s Gardasil vaccine franchise. In all, Goodrich has more than 25 years of experience working on brands in neurology, respiratory, immunology, and cardiometabolic health. He received his MBA from the University of Michigan and his BS from Wake Forest University.
“I’m inspired by opportunities to drive fundamental paradigm changes in therapeutic areas, like sleep disorders, that are ripe for disruption through novel interventions that can radically advance the standard of care,” Goodrich says in a release. “Apnimed is leading the industry in the development of an oral pharmacologic that has the potential to help millions of people with OSA whose needs are not being met by current treatment options.”
Harding is a senior executive leader who has guided and built the culture and human resources infrastructure at biotech companies that have included Jounce Therapeutics and Enobia Pharma, among others, according to a release from Apnimed. He has been the head of human resources for 10 companies on either a full-time or interim basis and has prior experience in the electric utility, telecommunications, and clean energy sectors. Harding has a Master of Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and a BA from Hamline University.
“Apnimed is at a significant inflection point in their growth and is building a highly capable and experienced team to develop and launch AD109 as well as advance other groundbreaking portfolio candidates. I’m excited to help further develop a company that will have such a profound impact on the lives of OSA patients,” Harding says in a release.
Topline results from the phase 3 program are expected in the first half of 2025.
“We are thrilled to have attracted two senior executive leaders with the ability to drive and manage change as we build our commercial capabilities for AD109,” says Larry Miller, MD, CEO of Apnimed, in a release.
Photo caption: Graham Goodrich (left) was hired as chief commercial officer and Ted Harding (right) as chief human resources officer.
Photo credit: Apnimed
