Javier Avendaño

Javier Avendaño, MD, currently serves as the Head of Clinical Development Neurology at Servier since September 2025, having previously held the position of Medical Director at Servier Pharmaceuticals. Experience includes significant roles as Medical Lead Clinical Development at argenx and Medical Director at Stoke Therapeutics, focusing on rare diseases and spinal muscular atrophy programs, respectively. Prior to that, roles at Biogen involved global medical direction for clinical development and medical affairs strategy for spinal muscular atrophy and epilepsy products. Javier's medical management expertise spans multiple European markets with UCB, encompassing the launch of Brivaracetam, and includes advisory roles in surgery at Takeda. Early training included clinical trial coordination in neurosurgery and postdoctoral research in pediatric orthopaedic surgery. Educational qualifications include an MD from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and a postgraduate degree in Clinical and Industrial Drug Development from Tufts University School of Medicine.