CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Akebia
Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company with the purpose to
better the lives of people impacted by kidney disease, today
announced the appointment of LeAnne M.
Zumwalt to its Board of Directors, effective February 16, 2021. Ms. Zumwalt was most recently
Group Vice President, Government Affairs at DaVita Inc., one of the
largest providers of dialysis and kidney care services in
the United States.
"We're honored to have LeAnne
Zumwalt join the Akebia Board of Directors," said
John P. Butler, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Akebia Therapeutics. "Her deep knowledge of
and expertise in the U.S. dialysis market, in combination with the
financial and public policy leadership roles she has held
throughout her career, will be invaluable as we continue to advance
our purpose and prepare for the launch of vadadustat, subject to
approval."
"I'm excited to join Akebia during what I believe is a pivotal
time for the Company and the kidney community," said Ms. Zumwalt.
"Having spent the majority of my career working to advance the
standard of care for kidney patients, I share Akebia's passion for
bringing much-needed innovation to the kidney community. I look
forward to helping Akebia deliver on the potential of vadadustat to
help kidney patients."
Ms. Zumwalt has spent more than 20 years serving in a broad
range of leadership positions at DaVita, which has grown over that
time to a healthcare organization with more than 2,750 locations in
the United States, caring for
approximately 205,000 patients with chronic kidney disease. While
at DaVita, Ms. Zumwalt was integral to the development of DaVita's
policy strategy for programs such as end-stage renal disease
entitlement and Medicare Advantage. Ms. Zumwalt also led corporate
purchasing for DaVita, managing supply logistics for dialysis
supplies and products, pharmaceuticals, equipment, and other
contract services for all DaVita locations. Ms. Zumwalt previously
served on the Boards of Directors of Adeptus Health and The
Advisory Board Company.
Akebia also announced that Maxine
Gowen, Ph.D., will resign from the Board of Directors of
Akebia, effective June 6, 2021. Dr.
Gowen has served as a member of the Board of Directors since
2014.
"Maxine has been a wonderful resource through the development
and completion of Akebia's global Phase 3 clinical program for
vadadustat," said Adrian Adams,
Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Akebia. "We are grateful
for her service and contributions towards helping Akebia become the
company it is today."
About Akebia Therapeutics
Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. is
a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company with the purpose to
better the lives of people impacted by kidney disease. The Company
was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For more
information, please visit our website at www.akebia.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release includes
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including,
but not limited to, statements regarding the advancement of
Akebia's purpose and Ms. Zumwalt's ability to contribute to such,
Akebia's innovation in the kidney community and vadadustat's
ability to help kidney patients. These statements are not
historical facts, but instead represent only Akebia's beliefs
regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are
inherently uncertain and outside of Akebia's control. For a
discussion of the risks related to the forward-looking statements
in this press release see the "Risk Factors" section of Akebia's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, and other filings that Akebia
may make with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in the
future. These forward-looking statements (except as otherwise
noted) speak only as of the date of this press release and, except
as required by law, Akebia does not undertake, and specifically
disclaims, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements
contained in this press release.
Investor Contact
Kristen K. Sheppard, Esq.
Ir@akebia.com
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SOURCE Akebia Therapeutics