James Izanec, MD, AGAF

Dr. Izanec is a physician–scientist with over two decades of clinical and drug development leadership spanning immunology, neuroscience, and gastroenterology. He brings extensive experience directing registrational Phase 2 and Phase 3 programs, shaping asset-level development strategies, and guiding cross‑functional execution at leading pharmaceutical organizations including Bristol Myers Squibb and Janssen.

Prior to joining Palisade Bio, Dr. Izanec served as Senior Medical Director and Clinical Development Lead at Bristol Myers Squibb, where he led global Phase 2/3 development programs across autoimmune and neurological diseases. His responsibilities included oversight of a 1,200‑patient Phase 3 Crohn’s program, leadership of pediatric development programs in Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and multiple sclerosis, and strategic ownership for the clinical development plans of ozanimod and deucravacitinib.

Previously, he served as Medical Director at Janssen, where he led global Phase 3 and Phase 4 studies in gastroenterology and immunology, contributed to lifecycle and label‑expansion programs for ustekinumab and infliximab, and helped support the successful launch of Stelara in ulcerative colitis, the largest franchise within Johnson & Johnson.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Izanec spent a decade as a practicing gastroenterologist and hepatologist, serving as principal investigator for more than 50 clinical trials across inflammatory bowel disease,

hepatology, functional GI disorders, and motility disorders. He has authored more than 100 peer‑reviewed publications and abstracts and has been a frequent invited speaker at global medical congresses including DDW, ECCO, ACG, and UEGW.

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