CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Akebia Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel proprietary therapeutics based on hypoxia-inducible factor biology and the commercialization of these products for patients with kidney disease, today announced that it has strengthened its leadership team with two hires. Nicole R. Hadas has joined Akebia as Vice President and General Counsel, and Michel Dahan as Vice President, Commercial.
“Nikki and Michel will be instrumental to our team as we advance our portfolio of drug candidates, including AKB-6548, a once-daily oral therapy currently in a Phase 2b study for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic kidney disease who are not dependent on dialysis” said John P. Butler, Chief Executive Officer of Akebia. “The new additions bring invaluable and diverse experiences to the Company and will build upon the established strengths and expertise of the leadership team” added Mr. Butler.
Nikki Hadas joined Akebia as Vice President and General Counsel in 2013. Prior to Akebia, Ms. Hadas served as the Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Inspiration Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., where she managed the successful sale of its hemophilia assets to Cangene Corporation and Baxter International. From 2001 to 2011, Ms. Hadas worked at Genzyme Corporation, most recently as Senior Corporate Counsel. Prior to Genzyme, she was an associate at Foley Hoag representing biopharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers. Ms. Hadas received a B.A. from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from Boston College Law School.
Michel Dahan joined Akebia as Vice President, Commercial in 2013 to lead global marketing and commercialization activities. Prior to joining Akebia, Mr. Dahan led global marketing and commercial development at Inspiration Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., preparing for two global launches and ultimately for the sale of its assets to Cangene Corporation and Baxter International and, prior to that, global marketing and strategic planning for the hemophilia franchise at Ipsen. He began his career in mergers and acquisitions and in corporate business development for the biopharmaceutical industry. He earned his graduate degree in business administration at HEC Paris (France), his ‘maitrise’ in mathematics from University Paris VI (France), and completed his executive education program at Harvard Business School.
In addition, Akebia is strengthening its finance team. Kristie A. Bolieau has joined the company as Vice President, Corporate Controller. Ms. Bolieau brings more than 20 years of expertise with diverse leadership roles in financial management, accounting and reporting and internal controls. Prior to Akebia, Ms. Bolieau served as Director, Assistant Controller of athenahealth, Inc., a healthcare business services company. Ms. Bolieau spent 17 years at GTC Biotherapeutics, Inc., a spin-out of Genzyme Corporation, where she served in various financial roles of progressive responsibility, most recently as Vice President, Finance and Accounting/Assistant Treasurer. Ms. Bolieau holds a B.S. from North Adams State College and an M.B.A. from Suffolk University and is a Certified Public Accountant in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Ms. Bolieau will report to Jason A. Amello, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.
About Akebia Therapeutics
Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel proprietary therapeutics based on hypoxia-inducible factor biology and the commercialization of these products for patients with kidney disease. The Company’s lead product candidate, AKB-6548, is in a Phase 2b clinical trial in patients with anemia secondary to chronic kidney disease who are not dependent on dialysis. AKB-6548 is being developed as a once-daily oral therapy, which works through the inhibition of hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase, leading to stabilization and increased levels of HIFα and improved production of hemoglobin and red blood cells.
