Orbis Medicines welcomes Mikael Dolsten as Board Chair

DENMARK—Orbis Medicines, a pioneering company in oral macrocycle drug discovery based in Denmark, has appointed Mikael Dolsten, M.D., Ph.D., as the Chairperson of its Board of Directors.

With an illustrious career spanning decades in the pharmaceutical industry, Dolsten’s appointment signals a strategic move by Orbis Medicines to further expand its innovative footprint in drug development.

Over the course of his more than 15-year tenure at Pfizer, Dolsten was instrumental in steering the research and development efforts that led to the approval of over 35 groundbreaking therapies and vaccines.

Moreover, he played a key role in moving more than 100 drug candidates into clinical development. This impressive track record underscores his ability to lead large-scale projects and deliver high-impact results.

Prior to his transformative work at Pfizer, Dolsten held prominent leadership positions at major pharmaceutical companies such as AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pharmacia, and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.

These experiences not only broadened his expertise but also solidified his reputation as a visionary in the field.

In addition to his corporate roles, Dolsten has contributed significantly to the industry by serving on various public boards across the United States and Europe.

His involvement in numerous mergers and acquisitions has further demonstrated his business acumen and strategic insight.

 His accomplishments include introducing a new class of oral medications for autoimmune diseases and spearheading the development and approval of targeted anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors for non-small cell lung cancer.

Furthermore, his leadership was crucial during Pfizer’s rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic, an effort that highlighted his capacity to adapt and lead during unprecedented times.

Morten Graugaard, CEO of Orbis Medicines, expressed enthusiasm about Dolsten’s extensive experience in managing all stages of drug development, from discovery to approval, which aligns perfectly with the company’s goals.

Graugaard emphasized that Dolsten’s strategic guidance will be pivotal as the company strives to provide novel, high-value oral alternatives to existing biologics.

According to him, these innovations hold tremendous potential not only to address the complex needs of patients with chronic diseases but also to streamline the overall healthcare system.

Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Dolsten remarked that the work being done at Orbis Medicines represents a new frontier in drug discovery.

He highlighted that by developing oral alternatives to biologics, such as antibodies and peptides, the company is positioned to dramatically enhance patient access to critical treatments.

Moreover, by designing oral drugs capable of tackling hard-to-drug intracellular targets, Orbis Medicines is setting the stage to become a leading force in the biotech industry.

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