Awakn Life Sciences Corp. (NEO: AWKN), a biotechnology company developing and delivering psychedelic therapeutics (medicines and therapies) to treat addiction, announced today the execution of an agreement to appoint Kate Butler as new Chief Financial Officer, and Jonathan Held, current Chief Financial Officer, to transition to Awakn’s Chief Business Officer. Under the terms of the agreement, Kate has joined Awakn effective immediately, however, Jonathan Held shall remain as the CFO for a transition period of up to three months (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the parties), upon which Kate and Jonathan shall each assume their new roles.
Kate Butler is a highly skilled finance leader with extensive experience in the biotechnology industry. Ms. Butler joins Awakn from Vectura Group plc, where she was the Group Financial Controller leading the team’s strategic, finance and M&A activity. Prior to that she was Head of Finance for EMEA Cell Therapy (Kite Europe) and EMEA Controller for Gilead Sciences Inc from April 2016 to December 2019. Previously, she also spent four years at Anglo American plc and nine years at Ernst & Young LLP.
“Kate is a seasoned senior leader with wide-ranging experience leading large international finance teams having held leadership positions at Gilead Sciences Inc and Vectura Group plc,” said Anthony Tennyson, Awakn’s CEO. “Kate will bring a valuable perspective to Awakn during this critical growth phase as we execute on our strategy to develop and deliver psychedelic therapeutics to better treat addiction. We are delighted to welcome another skilled executive to our leadership team.”
Kate Butler, newly appointed CFO commented, “I am very excited to be joining an already talented and impressive senior leadership team and board at Awakn. I look forward to being a key contributor to help the Company continue down its path of treating the global unmet medical need of addiction.”
About Awakn Life Sciences Corp.
Awakn Life Sciences is a biotechnology company developing and delivering psychedelic therapeutics (medicines and therapies) to better treat addiction. Awakn’s team consists of world leading chemists, scientists, psychiatrists, and psychologists who are developing and advancing the next generation of psychedelic drugs, therapies, and enabling technologies to treat addiction. Awakn will deliver these evidence backed psychedelic therapies in clinics in the UK and Europe and through licensing partnerships globally.