Lars Ekman

Lars joined Sofinnova as Executive Partner in 2008. With 30+ years of experience in senior executive, scientific, and clinical functions, he focuses on lending his extensive Life Science experience to the investment team in driving new companies toward success . Dr. Ekman represents Sofinnova as the Chairman of Amarin (AMRN), Sophiris Bio (SPHS), Prothena (PRTA) and Afyx Therapeutics. He also serves as a director of Spark Therapeutics (ONCE) and on the board of Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical (RARE).

Prior to joining Sofinnova, Lars held the position of President of Research and Development at Elan. He joined Elan in January 2001, and he is credited with advancing Elan’s drug discovery pipeline and under his leadership, Elan received approval for four U.S. New Drug Applications, three European Marketing Approval Applications, and five Investigational New Drug Applications. These efforts resulted in advancing Elan’s immunotherapeutic approach into Phase III and bringing to market three innovative neuroscience based products, including Tysabri for MS. Prior to joining Elan, he was Executive Vice President, Research and Development at Schwarz Pharma AG beginning in 1997. From 1984 to 1997, Dr. Ekman was employed in a variety of senior scientific and clinical functions at Pharmacia, now Pfizer.

Lars obtained his PhD and MD from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. He 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.