Lars Ekman, M.D., Ph.D.
Executive Partner
Sofinnova Ventures

Lars G. Ekman, M.D., Ph.D. has served as Lead Independent Director of the Board since May 2008 and has been a member of the Board since September 2006. With more than 28 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Ekman served as Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Cebix Inc., and prior to that was Executive Vice President and President of Global Research and Development of Elan Corporation plc from January 2001 to December 2007. Prior to joining Elan, he was Executive Vice President, Research and Development at Schwarz Pharma AG from February 1997 to December 2000, and was previously employed in a variety of senior scientific and clinical functions at Pharmacia, now Pfizer. Dr. Ekman is an executive partner at Sofinnova Ventures, and serves as Executive Chairman of Sophiris Bio Inc. (formerly Protox Therapeutics) as well as Chairman of Prothena Biosciences. Dr. Ekman also sits on the Board of Directors of Amarin Corporation, Cebix Inc. and Ocera Therapeutics. Dr. Ekman is a board certified surgeon with a Ph.D. in experimental biology and has held several clinical and academic positions in the United States and Europe. He obtained his Ph.D. and M.D. from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.