CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA and SAN FRANCISCO, CA, September 11, 2024 — Rivus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on metabolic health, today unveiled key leadership appointments, introducing Tom O’Neil as Chief Financial Officer and Erin Lavelle as an independent member of its Board of Directors. These strategic appointments, effective September 30, 2024, underscore Rivus Pharmaceuticals’ commitment to expanding its innovative pipeline of Controlled Metabolic Accelerators (CMAs) and strengthening its governance.
Tom O’Neil, with over 25 years in the biopharmaceutical sector, brings a profound expertise in finance and corporate strategy, shaped by his tenure at firms such as Thoma Bravo and Frontline Education, where he led significant growth initiatives and navigated successful IPOs and acquisitions. At Rivus, O’Neil will oversee financial, accounting, and corporate strategy functions, playing a pivotal role in driving the company’s financial operations as it advances its groundbreaking pipeline.
Erin Lavelle, noted for her extensive leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, joins Rivus’ board to lead the formation of the company’s Audit Committee. Lavelle’s previous roles include COO and CFO positions at ProfoundBio and Eliem Therapeutics, and her background is enriched by significant tenures at Alder Biopharmaceuticals and Amgen. Her expertise will be invaluable as Rivus scales its operations and deepens its clinical development programs, particularly for its lead compound, HU6.
“We are excited to welcome Tom and Erin to Rivus Pharmaceuticals,” stated Jayson Dallas, M.D., CEO of Rivus Pharmaceuticals. “Their impressive backgrounds and proven leadership abilities are ideally suited to guide our company through the next phase of growth and clinical advancements.”
Both appointments arrive at a crucial time as Rivus Pharmaceuticals continues to progress its clinical trials for HU6, a promising therapeutic candidate designed to address obesity and related metabolic conditions through a novel approach that enhances metabolic health while preserving muscle mass.
Rivus Pharmaceuticals is at the forefront of developing Controlled Metabolic Accelerators (CMAs) to improve metabolic health. These innovative therapies aim to transform treatment paradigms for patients with obesity and associated metabolic diseases by leveraging mitochondrial biology to increase metabolic rates and reduce adiposity.
Read Also : Imagination in a Disrupted Age: Navigating the Future with Curiosity and Empathy
