Business
Assembly Biosciences Appoints Jason Okazaki as Chief Legal and Business Officer
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., March 30, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASMB), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing
About this update from Assembly Biosciences, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., March 30, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASMB), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing innovative therapeutics targeting hepatitis B virus (HBV) and diseases associated with the microbiome, today announced the appointment of Jason Okazaki as Chief Legal and Business Officer. Mr. Okazaki has 20 years of legal and biotechnology industry experience, both as internal counsel and with a leading law firm.\n “Jason brings extensive legal expertise and a depth of invaluable industry and business experience, and we are excited to have him join the Assembly team,” said John McHutchison, AO, MD, Chief Executive Officer and President. “I have known Jason for many years and think highly of the skills and acumen he will bring to Assembly. His extraordinary track record, which includes leading and executing strategic collaborations and transactions, will be vital as we continue to advance our pipeline and plan our future growth.” “I am thrilled to join the Assembly team and eager to contribute to the advancement of novel therapeutics in both the HBV and microbiome spaces,” said Jason Okazaki, Chief Legal and Business Officer. “I look forward to working with a talented group of industry experts to drive towards an HBV cure and unlock the potential of the microbiome.” Mr. Okazaki joins Assembly from Gilead where he served as Gilead’s Senior Vice President, Legal and Assistant Secretary. During his 14-year career at Gilead, he built and led a global legal team that supported the Company’s operations in the U.S., Asia and Latin America and advised on corporate governance and SEC reporting matters. In addition, he led the structuring and legal execution of all of Gilead’s acquisitions, strategic collaborations and licensing deals since 2006. Previously, he worked for six years with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in the firm’s mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance practices. Mr. Okazaki earned a BA in Economics from Stanford University and a JD from the UC Hastings College of the Law. He is a member of the State Bars of California and New York. The appointment was made in conjunction with Assembly’s decision to consolidate the executive team at its South San Francisco headquarters. Elizabeth Lacy, who currently serves as General Counsel, Senior Vice President of...