Maria Törnsén Takes the Helm as COO and President of Hansa Biopharma in the U.S.

Maria Törnsén Appointed COO and President U.S. at Hansa Biopharma

Hansa Biopharma AB, commonly known as Hansa, has officially announced the appointment of Maria Törnsén as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) and President for its U.S. operations, effective from May 19, 2025. This strategic decision aligns with Hansa's goal of bolstering its leadership as it prepares for significant advancements in the biopharmaceutical sector.

A Strong Addition to Hansa’s Leadership Team

Maria Törnsén joins the Hansa executive team with an impressive background of over two decades in global operations, particularly within the U.S. pharmaceutical industry. Her most recent role was as President North America at Calliditas Therapeutics, where she oversaw the commercial and medical affairs organizations until the company was acquired by Asahi Kasei Corporation in September 2024. Törnsén's extensive experience includes senior leadership positions at notable firms like Sarepta Therapeutics, Sanofi Genzyme, and Shire plc, where she was instrumental in launching multiple new products and managing large-scale business operations totaling billions in revenue.

CEO Renée Aguiar-Lucander welcomed Maria, emphasizing the invaluable expertise she brings in tackling rare diseases and gene therapy, which are central to Hansa's mission. “Her experience in building commercial organizations and driving profitability will be critical as we prepare for the next phase of our development,” Aguiar-Lucander stated.

Commitment to Innovation and Growth

Maria expressed her enthusiasm for joining Hansa at this pivotal moment. “I am delighted to join Hansa and look forward to leveraging my experience to bolster the growth of IDEFIRIX and prepare for several anticipated innovations in the latter half of 2025,” she noted. The appointment of Törnsén marks a significant milestone for Hansa as the company broadens its efforts in delivering advanced treatments for patients with rare immunological conditions.

Hansa Biopharma's Mission and Vision

Located in Lund, Sweden, Hansa Biopharma is recognized for its pioneering work in developing innovative therapies for rare immunological diseases. The company leverages its proprietary IgG-cleaving enzyme technology platform to address critical unmet medical needs in areas such as autoimmune diseases, gene therapy, and organ transplantation. Hansa's flagship product, imlifidase, represents a breakthrough in enabling kidney transplants for highly sensitized patients.

The biopharmaceutical firm is committed to making a global impact with its various products, including the next-generation IgG-cleaving molecule, HNSA-5487, which presents exciting possibilities for redosing in immunological treatments.

Future Outlook

As Maria Törnsén embarks on her new role, the drug development landscape remains dynamic, particularly with the anticipated catalysts expected in the near future. Hansa Biopharma aims to harness Törnsén's vast experience to navigate this landscape effectively, ultimately enhancing its operational capabilities in the U.S. market and fostering growth through innovation.

For more information about Hansa Biopharma and its initiatives, visit their official website at www.hansabiopharma.com.

For media inquiries, you can reach out to:

- Evan Ballantyne, Chief Financial Officer
- Stephanie Kenney, VP Global Corporate Affairs

Törnsén's leadership will be closely watched as Hansa continues to push boundaries in the treatment of rare diseases and drives toward its ambitious goals.