Alkermes announced the appointment of two new independent directors, Richard Gaynor, M.D. and Frank Anders (Andy) Wilson, to the company's Board of Directors. The company also announced the retirement of Floyd Bloom, M.D.
Dr. Gaynor, who currently serves as the President of Research & Development at Neon Therapeutics, brings 18 years of experience in oncology-focused industrial drug development in addition to a distinguished career in academic medicine. He is board-certified in internal medicine and medical oncology and hematology.
Wilson, who most recently served as Chief Financial Officer of PerkinElmer, brings 30 years of financial expertise and experience in strategic planning and business development for global public companies.
"As industry veterans with deep and broad experience, Richard and Andy are ideally suited to provide valuable insights and thoughtful leadership at this stage of Alkermes' evolution. Their respective expertise in oncology and strategic value creation will be important assets as we focus on execution and prepare for our next phase of growth," said Richard Pops, Chief Executive Officer of Alkermes. "The appointment of these new Board members is reflective of our commitment to maintaining a robust Board of Directors with expertise that is aligned with our expanding and evolving strategic priorities."
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"I am delighted to join Alkermes' Board of Directors at a time when the company is advancing new research and establishing its presence at the forefront of immuno-oncology research," said Dr. Gaynor. "I look forward to offering my insights and applying the experience I have gained throughout my career in this rapidly evolving space as Alkermes advances its efforts to develop novel treatments that address areas of unmet patient need in oncology."
"As Alkermes continues to evolve, there is a unique opportunity to build on the company's current platform and drive growth while furthering the organization's mission to advance innovative medicines," said Mr. Wilson. "I am pleased to have the opportunity to draw on my experience as a chief financial officer, and other senior leadership positions, to strategically support and guide Alkermes' leadership team as the company approaches its next phase of growth."
The company today also announced the retirement of Floyd Bloom, M.D. from the company's Board of Directors. Dr. Bloom is a founder of Alkermes and has served on the Alkermes Board of Directors since 2011. Prior to that, Dr. Bloom had served on the Alkermes, Inc. Board of Directors since 1987.
"A researcher who dedicated his life to revolutionizing the way brain disorders are treated, Floyd's contributions to scientific research and medicine are immeasurable," said Mr. Pops. "Personally, and on behalf of the company that he founded, I would like to thank Floyd for his unwavering dedication and distinguished service to Alkermes. I am grateful for his counsel and leadership, and confident that his work will have a lasting impact on this organization for many years to come."
Dr. Gaynor joined Neon Therapeutics in 2016 as its President of Research and Development. Prior to joining Neon, he began his industry career at Eli Lilly and Company, where he spent 15 years in clinical development and medical affairs roles, including as Senior Vice President, Clinical Development and Medical Affairs of Lilly Oncology from 2013 until his departure in 2016. During his time at Lilly, Dr. Gaynor chaired the Lilly Oncology Research and Development Committee and helped oversee various collaborations, including with GE, AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Dr. Gaynor started his career in academia, initially serving on the faculty at UCLA School of Medicine for nine years, followed by 11 years at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, during which he spent time as the Chief of Hematology-Oncology and Director of the Simmons Cancer Center. Dr. Gaynor holds an M.D. from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and completed fellowship training in hematology-oncology at the UCLA School of Medicine.
As the former Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of PerkinElmer, Wilson oversaw the organization's growth strategy from 2009 until his retirement in 2018. Prior to joining PerkinElmer, Wilson held key business development and finance roles over 12 years at Danaher Corporation, a global science and technology conglomerate, including Corporate Vice President of Investor Relations. Prior to Danaher, Wilson worked for several years at AlliedSignal, now Honeywell International, where he served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer for the Commercial Avionics Systems division. Prior to AlliedSignal, Mr. Wilson's work included financial and controllership positions of increasing responsibility at PepsiCo, as well as roles at E.F. Hutton and Company, and KPMG Peat Marwick. Wilson is a Certified Public Accountant.
Wilson has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Cabot Corporation, a public global specialty chemicals and performance materials company, since 2018. From 2015 to 2019, he was also a member of the Board of Directors of Sparton Corporation where he served as Chairman of the Board for a period of time. Sparton Corporation was a formerly independent public company that designed and manufactured complex electromechanical devices.