Harnessing the power of microglia, Ivana Magovčević-Liebisch, President & CEO, Vigil Neuroscience

Biotech 2050 Podcast

Synopsis: Ivana Magovčević-Liebisch, PhD, JD, is the President and CEO of Vigil Neuroscience, a microglia-focused company dedicated to improving the lives of patients, caregivers, and families affected by rare and common neurodegenerative diseases by restoring the vigilance of microglia, the sentinel cells of the brain’s immune system. Ivana shares how sitting on boards of other companies has informed how she operates as CEO at Vigil. She talks about how she’s seen her role evolve as the company has grown over the last three years. She discusses the importance of having diversity and diversity of thought on the leadership team. She provides her perspective on neurology as a therapeutic area, where unmet needs still exist, and the challenges and opportunities in precision-based neurology. Finally, she shares her approach to building culture at Vigil. Biography: Ivana is an accomplished pharmaceutical and biotechnology executive focused on corporate excellence and execution. She has over 20 years of senior management experience in financing, strategic partnerships, M&A, clinical development, regulatory affairs, commercialization, legal and IP strategies, and preparation and execution of operating plans. Prior to Vigil, Ivana was Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Business Officer at Ipsen where she was responsible for fueling the pipeline through external innovation and led the External Innovation, Business Development and Alliance Management functions. Prior to Ipsen, Ivana was EVP, Chief Strategy and Corporate Development Officer at Axcella Health, Senior VP (SVP) and Head of Global Business Development for the specialty drug business at Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. She previously worked at Dyax Corp in management roles including EVP and Chief Operating Officer where she launched the company’s first drug, Kalbitor® for an orphan indication, Hereditary Angioedema, and at Transkaryotic Therapies, Inc. Ivana serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Aeglea BioTherapeutics, Inc. Ivana holds a PhD in Genetics from Harvard University and received her JD in High Technology law from Suffolk University Law School.