Palisade Bio Appoints Dr. James Izanec As Vice President Of Clinical Development To Strengthen Its Clinical Leadership Team

Palisade Bio, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation, once-daily oral PDE4 inhibitor prodrugs for the treatment of inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, has announced the appointment of James Izanec, MD, AGAF, as Vice President, Clinical Development. Dr. Izanec is a physician-scientist with more than twenty years of experience in clinical practice and drug development, with expertise spanning immunology, neuroscience, and gastroenterology. He has led multiple registrational Phase 2 and Phase 3 programs and has played a key role in shaping development strategies and guiding cross-functional teams at major pharmaceutical organizations such as Bristol Myers Squibb and Janssen.

Dr. Mitchell Jones, Chief Medical Officer of Palisade Bio, stated that the company is pleased to welcome Dr. Izanec, noting that his leadership in global late-stage trials and his extensive background in gastroenterology and immunology will be valuable as PALI 2108 progresses toward important development milestones. Dr. Jones emphasized that Dr. Izanec’s experience managing complex multinational Phase 3 programs involving conditions such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis, Sjögren’s syndrome, and pediatric immunology will allow him to make an immediate contribution to the company’s clinical strategy and execution.

Before joining Palisade Bio, Dr. Izanec served as Senior Medical Director and Clinical Development Lead at Bristol Myers Squibb. In this role, he oversaw global Phase 2 and Phase 3 programs across autoimmune and neurological diseases, including responsibility for a large Phase 3 Crohn’s disease trial involving approximately 1,200 patients. He also led pediatric studies in Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and multiple sclerosis, and managed clinical development plans for ozanimod and deucravacitinib.

Previously, he worked as Medical Director at Janssen, where he directed global Phase 3 and Phase 4 studies in gastroenterology and immunology. His contributions supported lifecycle and label expansion efforts for therapies such as ustekinumab and infliximab, and he played a role in the successful launch of Stelara in ulcerative colitis, one of Johnson & Johnson’s major franchises.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Izanec practiced as a gastroenterologist and hepatologist for ten years. During this time, he served as principal investigator for more than 50 clinical trials in areas including inflammatory bowel disease, hepatology, functional gastrointestinal disorders, and motility disorders. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and abstracts and has delivered invited presentations at major global medical conferences such as DDW, ECCO, ACG, and UEGW.

Dr. Izanec earned his medical degree from Weill Cornell Medical College, completed his residency in internal medicine at Temple University Hospital, and his fellowship in gastroenterology at Drexel University College of Medicine. He is a Fellow of the American Gastroenterological Association and holds a magna cum laude degree from Cornell University.