Ardelyx appoints Mark Kaufmann as chief business officer

Role includes business development, licensing and strategic planning

Ardelyx, a US developer of oral therapeutics to correct metabolic disorders, has appointed Mark Kaufmann to the newly created position of chief business officer. The role at the Fremont, CA company will include business and corporate development, licensing, and strategic planning.

Kaufmann was formerly chief executive of Allostera and Celmed BioSciences.

‘Mark’s deep understanding of the biotechnology business, coupled with his substantial experience at the most senior levels in business development and planning will serve Ardelyx well during our next phase of corporate development,’ said Mike Raab, chairman and ceo of Ardelyx.

Kaufmann has more than 20 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry in the US and Canada in business and corporate development roles.

Most recently, he was president and ceo of Allostera Pharma, a venture-backed, preclinical company focused on autoimmune diseases.

Prior to joining Allostera, Kaufmann was president and ceo of Celmed BioSciences, where he was responsible for raising funds and selling the company to Kiadis Pharma, a European biotechnology company. He has also held roles at Nexia Biotechnologies, Conceptis Technologies and MedImmune.

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