# Ilise Lombardo

> Ilise Lombardo is the CEO of Noema Pharma, a Basel-based clinical-stage biotech advancing treatments for central nervous system disorders. A Yale-trained psychiatrist with a Cambridge M.Phil and a Brown degree, she spent two decades in clinical practice and academia before co-founding Arvelle Therapeutics, which sold to Angelini Pharma for roughly $1 billion in 2021. She now steers Noema's pipeline of Phase 2 programs targeting Tourette syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia, tuberous sclerosis seizures and menopause-related CNS symptoms.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer at Noema Pharma
- **Organizations:** Noema Pharma, Arvelle Therapeutics, Kriya Therapeutics, Axovant Sciences, Forum Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York State Psychiatric Institute
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor's degree, Brown University, M.Phil, University of Cambridge, MD (Doctor of Medicine), Yale University, Residency in psychiatry; fellowships in neuroreceptor imaging and molecular genetics, Columbia University
- **Known for:** Co-founded Arvelle Therapeutics and built it into a launch-ready European CNS company acquired by Angelini Pharma for approximately $1 billion in 2021, Named one of the top ten female company founders in the world, More than 25 years of experience in the central nervous system field across clinical practice, academia, large pharma and biotech

## Career timeline

- **1990s-2000s** — Assistant Professor of Clinical Research at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and the New York State Psychiatric Institute
- **2000s** — Led multi-therapeutic groups and development teams at Pfizer
- **2010s** — Vice President, Clinical Development and Medical Affairs at Forum Pharmaceuticals
- **2015** — Senior Vice President, Clinical Research at Axovant Sciences
- **2019** — Co-founded Arvelle Therapeutics and served as Chief Medical Officer
- **2021** — Arvelle Therapeutics acquired by Angelini Pharma for approximately $1 billion; joined Kriya Therapeutics as President of the Therapeutics Division; joined Noema Pharma's Board of Directors
- **2023** — Appointed Chief Executive Officer of Noema Pharma (June 21, 2023)

## Achievements

- Co-founded Arvelle Therapeutics and built it into a launch-ready European CNS company acquired by Angelini Pharma for approximately $1 billion in 2021
- Named one of the top ten female company founders in the world
- More than 25 years of experience in the central nervous system field across clinical practice, academia, large pharma and biotech
- Led Noema Pharma into a catalyst-rich period with four active Phase 2 programs and multiple readouts expected in 2025

## Latest updates

- **2023-06** — Appointed CEO of Noema Pharma after serving on its board since 2021.
- **2024-12** — Noema Pharma continued building its leadership team and pipeline; the company raised funding amid its Series B financing rounds.
- **2025-01** — Noema Pharma appointed Michael Samar as Chief Financial Officer as it entered a year of multiple Phase 2 readouts.

## Links

- Website: https://noemapharma.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ilise-lombardo-a7ab7738

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/ilise-lombardo
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-06-12