Gaithersburg, Md. — Maryland’s life sciences community is seeing another significant leadership milestone as Altimmune announces a planned CEO transition effective January 1, 2026. After seven years of leading the company’s transformation into an agile, late clinical-stage biopharma organization, Vipin Garg, Ph.D., will step down as President and CEO and continue advising the company through June 30, 2026.
Altimmune’s current Board Chair, Jerry Durso, will assume the CEO role, bringing more than 30 years of leadership experience across commercial strategy, rare disease, and global pharmaceutical operations. Jerry Durso brings more than 30 years of results-oriented leadership experience in the life sciences industry, with deep expertise in corporate and commercial strategy, business development and operations. He most recently served as the Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Intercept Pharmaceuticals, a company focused in liver diseases, where he built a successful rare disease franchise, transformed the corporate strategy and ultimately led the company through its successful acquisition by Alfasigma. Prior to his time at Intercept, Mr. Durso spent over two decades at Sanofi, where he oversaw multiple blockbuster franchises while holding senior leadership positions, including Chief Commercial Officer of the company’s Global Diabetes Division and Chief Commercial Officer of its U.S. Pharmaceuticals business. Mr. Durso was appointed to Altimmune’s Board of Directors in February 2025 and was named Chairman of the Board in August 2025.
A Leadership Transition Built on Progress
During Dr. Garg’s tenure, Altimmune advanced its lead candidate, pemvidutide, from early discovery through Phase 2, positioning the company for late-stage clinical execution and strategic growth.
Dr. Garg reflected on his time at the helm in a statement:
“Serving as CEO of Altimmune over the last seven years has been an honor and privilege. I am incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished together and am grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside a highly dedicated and talented group of people who joined me in establishing pemvidutide as the foundation of the Company’s pipeline and current clinical programs.”
He underscored the program’s clinical promise and confidence in his successor:
“Pemvidutide presents an opportunity to change the standard of care for people with liver disease and Jerry is exceptionally well-suited to drive this program and Altimmune forward. He brings deep experience as a CEO of a liver disease focused company and a long track record of success leading clinical growth and commercialization.”
Jerry Durso Steps Into the CEO Role
Durso, who previously served as CEO of Intercept Pharmaceuticals and held senior commercial leadership roles at Sanofi, now steps in to guide Altimmune through its late-stage development and potential commercialization phases.
In accepting the role, Durso shared:
“I am very excited to step into the role of CEO as Altimmune embarks on its next phase of growth and prepares to transition to a late-stage clinical company looking toward commercialization. I see significant potential for pemvidutide to bring unique benefits to patients with liver disease and look forward to leading the team and focusing on creating value for all of our stakeholders.”
He also expressed appreciation for Dr. Garg’s lasting impact:
“I have great admiration for Vipin and the contributions he has made to Altimmune during his years with the Company. The solid scientific and financial footing of the Company today is a direct result of his leadership. In particular, the advancement of Altimmune’s program for MASH, with several important milestones expected before year-end, including additional clinical data and regulatory interactions. I am encouraged by the future of Altimmune and the potential to improve the lives of those with liver disease.”
Strengthening Maryland’s Biotech Leadership Pipeline
This transition signals continued momentum for Altimmune and adds to the region’s strong legacy of experienced leadership guiding high-impact therapeutic development. As the company prepares for Phase 3 planning and critical clinical readouts, its progress underscores the Maryland ecosystem’s role in accelerating treatments for complex metabolic and liver diseases.
