iOnctura Appoints New Board Chair for Late-Stage Pivot
The appointment of Paul Sekhri signals a shift in strategy for the biotech firm as it readies its lead asset for Phase III.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in People
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Biotech firm iOnctura has appointed veteran industry executive Paul Sekhri as the new Chair of its Board of Directors. The leadership change comes as the company prepares to move its lead candidate, roginolisib, into late-stage development.
Why it matters
The appointment signals a shift in operational focus toward strategic financing and M&A, as iOnctura seeks to leverage Sekhri's track record in scaling life science firms for upcoming pivotal trials.
Paul Sekhri brings 35 years of industry experience to the role, having chaired 18 boards and served on 40 boards total. This leadership transition follows his recent tenure as Chair of Longboard Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired for $2.6 billion.
The players
Paul Sekhri
An experienced life science executive who currently serves as CEO of vTv Therapeutics and board member at Veeva Systems.
iOnctura
A clinical-stage biotechnology company headquartered in Amsterdam with research operations in Geneva and Cambridge.
Mark Velleca
The outgoing Chair of the Board of Directors for iOnctura.
The details
Sekhri succeeds Dr. Mark Velleca to oversee the transition of the company's asset, roginolisib, from current clinical enrollment toward Phase III trials. The appointment is structured to bolster board expertise in company building and transaction strategies as iOnctura manages operations across its Amsterdam headquarters and international subsidiaries.
Timeline
October 15, 2026: Paul Sekhri was appointed iOnctura Board Chair.
2024: Lundbeck acquired Longboard Pharmaceuticals.
Market Landscape
The appointment marks a strategic pivot for iOnctura, following a pattern set by Sekhri's prior leadership role in the $2.6 billion Longboard Pharmaceuticals transaction. This move aligns with broader trends in biotech where companies install seasoned dealmakers ahead of pivotal late-stage data readouts.
Operators in the clinical-stage biotech sector should monitor iOnctura's upcoming clinical data readouts to gauge the firm's progress toward Phase III milestones. Companies in similar developmental phases should assess their own board composition to ensure it supports upcoming capital or exit strategies.
The takeaway
The move underscores the industry shift toward prioritizing board-level transaction expertise during the transition to late-stage clinical trials. Stakeholders should track forthcoming roginolisib study results to determine the firm's long-term commercial path.
Further reading
For more on shifts in the executive landscape, visit our People section.
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