Lars G. Ekman, M.D., Ph.D.

Chair Emeritus

Lars G. Ekman, M.D., Ph.D., is an executive partner at Sofinnova Ventures, Inc. (a venture capital firm), a position he has held since 2008. He also serves as a director of Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (from 2016 to June 2023),  as a director and then chair of the board of Amarin Corporation plc (from 2008 to 2022), as a director of Intermune Inc. (from 2006 to 2013), as a director of Ocera Therapeutics, Inc. (from 2009 to 2015), as a director of Spark Therapeutics, Inc. (from 2014 to 2019), and as chair of the board of Sophiris Bio Inc. (from 2010 to 2020). Dr. Ekman co-founded Cebix Incorporated, where he served as Chief Executive Officer from 2009 to 2012. He was President of Research & Development at Elan Corporation, plc (from 2001 to 2007), where he also served as a director (from 2005 to 2012). From 1997 to 2001, Dr. Ekman was Executive Vice President, Research & Development at Schwarz Pharma AG. Prior to that, he held various senior positions at Pharmacia Corporation. Dr. Ekman is a board-certified surgeon with a PhD in experimental biology and has held several clinical and academic positions in both the United States and Europe. He earned his Ph.D. and M.D. from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Dr. Ekman has served on our Board since 2012 and served as the Chair of our Board from 2012 until May 2024.