Date: 2015-06-18
Type of information: Nomination
Compound:
Company: Avexis (USA - IL)
Therapeutic area: Rare diseases - Genetic diseases - Neurological diseases
Type agreement: nomination
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Disease:
Details: * On June 18, 2015, AveXis, a leading gene therapy company developing treatments for rare and life-threatening genetic diseases, announced the appointment of Sean P. Nolan as Chief Executive Officer. He will oversee all functions at AveXis, including clinical, regulatory, finance, operations, sales and marketing, manufacturing and quality assurance. He also will join the company’s Board of Directors. Previously, Mr. Nolan was the Chief Business Officer at InterMune. Mr. Nolan joins AveXis as the company is nearing completion of its fully-enrolled Phase 1 clinical trial in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). * On April 30, 2015, AveXis announced that John Carbona has resigned from his position as CEO. Mr. Carbona will remain a Director of AveXis. This announcement is the result of a succession plan that has been in process as AveXis advances the clinical development of its lead program for the treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). AveXis’ Board of Directors has implemented a plan to build the company’s management team to support its growth and the advancement of its lead development program for the treatment of SMA. The company has engaged a leading executive recruiting firm and initiated a search for a Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Harkey will serve as Executive Chairman of AveXis in the interim.
At InterMune (acquired by Roche), an orphan disease company focused on specialty fibrotic disorders, Mr. Nolan led multiple functions across the organization, including North American commercial operations, global marketing, corporate and business development, and global manufacturing/supply chain. He also was responsible for planning and executing the U.S. launch of the company’s novel treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a rare and fatal lung disease with no approved or effective treatments. Prior to that, he held executive positions at Reata Pharmaceuticals and at Ovation Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Lundbeck HS), a company focused on orphan neurology diseases. Earlier in his career, he held key management positions at Abbott, including several years in its neuroscience franchise.
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