HEIDELBERG, Germany—Novaliq GmbH, a Heidelberg-based specialty pharmaceutical company focused on ophthalmology, has appointed Gabriela Burian, MD, MPH, as chief medical officer. She will report to the company’s managing director and CEO, Christian Roesky, PhD.

Dr. Burian brings over 25 years of international clinical experience to the company. She is responsible for leading Novaliq’s global clinical development and regulatory efforts, as well as expanding the company’s proprietary ocular therapeutics pipeline. She has deep clinical knowledge and proven leadership in the areas of ophthalmic biomedical research and clinical translation, with specialized expertise in retina diseases.

Previously, Dr. Burian held various leadership positions, including global program medical director at Novartis Pharma and Ophthalmology Early Program Leader at F. Hoffmann-La Roche. She founded and directs GB Biomed Advisors GmbH and serves as CMO for Iconic Therapeutics. She is a faculty member of the European School for Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology.

“Novaliq has a very exciting and robust dry eye therapy pipeline and has the potential to address significant clinical needs in retina and glaucoma as well,” said Dr. Burian. “With multiple pre-clinical and clinical stage programs in development, the company is strongly positioned to be a global leader in dry eye disease.

“My top priorities are to advance these programs toward regulatory submissions and to identify, develop and manage new drug development opportunities in glaucoma and retina diseases by harnessing the power of NOVALIQ’s proprietary EyeSol technology, which enhances the topical bioavailability, stability and safety of traditionally insoluble or unstable drugs,” she said.
Sonja Krosser, PhD, vice president of preclinical and clinical development will continue to lead NOVALIQ’s dry eye developments and remains responsible for the preclinical and clinical team.