MediciNova Strengthens Its Drug Development Strategy By Naming Dr. Christopher Breder, MD, PhD As Clinical And Regulatory Advisor

MediciNova, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company listed on both the NASDAQ Global Market and the Standard Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Code 4875), has announced the appointment of Dr. Christopher D. Breder, MD, PhD as Clinical and Regulatory Advisor. In this role, Dr. Breder will provide strategic direction for the company’s drug development programs and will lead the Scientific Advisory Board once it is established.

Dr. Breder is a highly respected physician-scientist and regulatory expert with more than twenty years of combined experience at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and within major pharmaceutical companies. He served at the FDA for over a decade in roles including Medical Officer and Lead Medical Officer. During his tenure, he developed and taught important courses on New Drug Application (NDA) review and safety evaluation for regulatory reviewers. He also played a central role in reviewing and supporting the initial approvals of several treatments for neurological conditions such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Myasthenia Gravis (MG), and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). In addition, he recently served as an industry advisor contributing to another ALS treatment approval in 2022.

Dr. Breder brings a rare combination of clinical, scientific, and regulatory expertise. His background includes significant experience in clinical trial design, regulatory strategy, and the development of therapies for neuroscience and rare diseases. His ability to bridge regulatory science with industry innovation positions him well to support MediciNova’s efforts to advance its pipeline and navigate complex regulatory requirements. He earned both his M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and completed his clinical training at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Yuichi Iwaki, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of MediciNova, expressed confidence in the impact Dr. Breder will bring. He stated that Dr. Breder’s deep understanding of FDA processes and his strong record of involvement in neurological drug approvals will be especially valuable as the company works to accelerate the development of new therapies for patients.

Dr. Breder shared his enthusiasm for joining MediciNova as a strategic advisor. He said that the company’s mission to advance innovative solutions for neurodegenerative diseases aligns closely with his own commitment to improving patient outcomes. He emphasized the importance of combining strong scientific foundations with patient-focused approaches to deliver meaningful progress in treatment development.