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Vera Therapeutics Announces Appointment of Michael M. Morrissey, Ph.D., as Chairman of its Board of Directors
BRISBANE, Calif., April 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vera Therapeutics (Nasdaq: VERA), a late-stage biotechnology company focused on developing and
About this update from Vera Therapeutics, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"BRISBANE, Calif., April 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vera Therapeutics (Nasdaq: VERA), a late-stage biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing transformative treatments for patients with serious immunological disease, announced today the appointment Michael M. Morrissey, Ph.D., as chairman of its board of directors. Dr. Morrissey has served as president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Exelixis, Inc. since July 2010. “Mike’s experience leading Exelixis’ evolution into a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company will be immensely helpful to Vera as we prepare to move from late-stage clinical programs to potential commercial growth,” said Kurt von Emster, Vera’s current chairman of the board. “We look forward to Mike’s guidance as we advance our various programs through development, engage in the regulatory review process, and then ultimately the potential commercialization of our product candidates.” Dr. Morrissey has decades of scientific research and executive leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. He has served as president and CEO of Exelixis since July 2010, and was its president of research and development from January 2007 to July 2010. During his tenure at Exelixis, he has worked collaboratively with the company’s research, clinical, regulatory, and manufacturing teams to support the development and commercialization of cabozantinib, a multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has grown from an initial orphan drug indication into a global oncology franchise. In his executive leadership positions, he has also played critical roles in the company’s business development strategies, operations, and successful efforts to attract and retain a rapidly growing team of talented and dedicated employees. Prior to joining Exelixis, Dr. Morrissey held positions at Berlex Biosciences and CIBA-Geigy Corporation. He holds a B.S. (Honors) in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin and a Ph.D. in chemistry from Harvard University. “This is an opportune moment for Mike to join our board,” stated Marshall Fordyce, founder and CEO of Vera Therapeutics. “His drug development and commercialization experience, as well as his leadership and success as a company builder, is immediately relevant to the challenges before us. Mike’s enthusiasm for our opportunity is infectious, and I truly look forwa...