Acceleron Announces Appointment of Dr. Karen Smith to its Board of Directors and Departure of Terrance McGuire
November 15 2017 - 4:01PM
Business Wire
Acceleron Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ:XLRN) today announced the
appointment of the experienced biopharmaceutical executive,
Karen Smith, M.D., Ph.D., to its board of directors and the
departure of Terrance McGuire, effective November 15, 2017.
“Karen’s breadth of expertise in research and development,
paired with her exceptional leadership skills, brings great value
to Acceleron as we work to execute on our vision to build
therapeutic area leadership across hematological, neuromuscular,
and pulmonary diseases,” said Francois Nader, M.D., Chairman
of Acceleron’s board of directors. “We are pleased to welcome her
to the Acceleron board.”
Dr. Smith currently serves as Executive Vice President,
Global Head R&D, and Chief Medical Officer of Jazz
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Smith brings over 20 years of experience
in drug development, regulatory, operations, and business strategy
across multiple healthcare companies.
“Acceleron’s internal research and development efforts have
generated multiple clinical-stage programs with the potential to
transform the lives of patients suffering from serious and rare
diseases,” said Dr. Smith. “I look forward to working with the
Acceleron team as they strive to build category leadership in
multiple disease areas, and advance their programs through the
clinic.”
Mr. McGuire has served as a member of Acceleron’s board of
directors since 2005. He co-founded Polaris Partners in 1996 and is
currently a general partner. Polaris Venture Partners led
Acceleron’s Series A financing round of $25 million in 2004.
“On behalf of Acceleron’s board, shareholders and employees, I
would like to applaud and recognize Terry’s many contributions over
the last 12 years as a truly dedicated board member. His expertise
and broad industry knowledge helped guide the Company from founding
through the successful IPO in 2013 and beyond. We greatly
appreciate his work, time, and dedication to Acceleron,” said Habib
Dable, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acceleron.
About Karen Smith, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Karen Smith currently serves as Executive Vice President,
Global Head R&D, and Chief Medical Officer of Jazz
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Prior to joining Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Dr.
Smith was Senior Vice President, Global Medical Affairs and Global
Dermatology Head for Allergan. She also held senior positions in
External Medical Relations and Global Development at AstraZeneca.
Before that, she held a variety of management and medical roles
with Bristol-Myers Squibb, most recently as the Head of U.S.
Clinical Operations.
Dr. Smith earned a B.App.Sc. and a B.Sc. (Honors) from the
Curtin University of Technology, an M.D. from the University of
Warwick, a Ph.D. in oncology molecular genetics from the University
of Western Australia, an M.B.A. from the University of New England
(Australia) and a L.L.M. in medical law from the University of
Salford.
About Acceleron
Acceleron is a Cambridge-based, clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development,
and commercialization of therapeutics to treat serious and rare
diseases. The Company's leadership in the understanding of TGF-beta
biology and protein engineering generates innovative compounds that
engage the body's ability to regulate cellular growth and
repair.
Acceleron focuses its research and development efforts in
hematologic, neuromuscular, and pulmonary diseases. In hematology,
the Company and its global collaboration partner, Celgene, are
developing luspatercept for the treatment of chronic anemia in
myelodysplastic syndromes, beta-thalassemia, and myelofibrosis.
Acceleron is also advancing its neuromuscular franchise with two
distinct Myostatin+ agents, ACE-083 and ACE-2494, and a pulmonary
program with a Phase 2 trial of sotatercept planned in pulmonary
arterial hypertension.
For more information, please
visit www.acceleronpharma.com/. Follow Acceleron on Social
Media: @AcceleronPharma and LinkedIn.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171115006335/en/
Acceleron Pharma Inc.Todd James, IRC, 617-649-9393Vice
President, Investor Relations and Corporate CommunicationsorCandice
Ellis, 617-649-9226Manager, Investor Relations and Corporate
CommunicationsorMedia:BMC CommunicationsBrad Miles,
646-513-3125
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