Verona Pharma has appointed David Zaccardelli as President and CEO with effect from 1 February 2020.
Zaccardelli has also joined the board of the respiratory-focused biopharma. He brings substantial specialty pharmaceutical leadership and operational expertise, including most notably, serving as President and CEO of Dova Pharmaceuticals until its acquisition by Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (Sobi) in November 2019.
Previously, Zaccardelli held several senior management roles including Chief Operating Officer (COO) at United Therapeutics Corporation. Jan-Anders Karlsson, Verona Pharma’s previous CEO, is retiring following eight years of dedicated service to the company to pursue non-executive roles and he has agreed to provide support to ensure an effective transition.
In addition, Mark Hahn, a seasoned pharmaceutical finance executive, will join Verona Pharma as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), a non-board position, with effect from 1 March 2020.
Hahn previously served as the CFO of Dova Pharmaceuticals and Cempra and raised over $600 million to support product development and commercialisation activities of those companies.
Piers Morgan will continue to serve as CFO of Verona Pharma through 28 February 2020 to provide an efficient transition and complete required financial reporting.
Both Zaccardelli and Hahn will be based in North Carolina in the US, where the majority of the company’s clinical team are located, to lead the development and commercialisation of ensifentrine for respiratory diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and cystic fibrosis (CF).
“We are very pleased to have both Dr Zaccardelli and Mr Hahn join Verona Pharma. They are highly experienced leaders with a proven track record of working together to create significant value for shareholders. The team will focus on the US and worldwide opportunities to help COPD patients in need of additional treatment,” said Dr David Ebsworth, Chairman of Verona Pharma.
