ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Announces Stephen Davis As Executive VP, CFO And Chief Business Officer

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ACAD), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative medicines that address unmet medical needs in neurological and related central nervous system disorders, announced the appointment of Stephen Davis as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer, effective today. Mr. Davis will report to Uli Hacksell, Ph.D., ACADIA's Chief Executive Officer. “Steve is a highly accomplished industry executive with extensive financial and operational experience, and will be an outstanding addition to our team,” said Dr. Hacksell. “Steve's impressive background and demonstrated leadership skills will be key as we continue to build the corporate infrastructure necessary to support the planned launch of pimavanserin in Parkinson's disease psychosis and seek to maximize the significant opportunities ahead for pimavanserin.” Mr. Davis brings over 20 years of executive-level experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Heron Therapeutics, Inc., which he joined in 2013. He led core business and finance functions there and was instrumental in developing and implementing a new corporate strategy with a multi-program portfolio. Previously, Mr. Davis served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Ardea Biosciences, Inc. from 2010 to 2013, where he oversaw business functions, including finance, commercial planning, and corporate development, and played a critical role in building and growing the company. Prior to joining Ardea, Mr. Davis served in numerous executive roles at Neurogen Corporation from 1994 to 2010, including Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Executive Officer, completing multiple collaborations and product acquisitions with global pharmaceutical companies. Mr. Davis currently serves on the Board of Directors of Heron Therapeutics and Synageva BioPharma Corp. Earlier in his career, Mr. Davis practiced as a Certified Public Accountant with a major accounting firm and as a corporate and securities attorney with a Wall Street law firm. Mr. Davis received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Southern Nazarene University and a J.D. from Vanderbilt University. “This is an exciting time to join ACADIA as it advances pimavanserin toward an NDA submission, prepares for the planned launch of pimavanserin, and strategically expands the program into other important neurological and psychiatric indications,” said Mr. Davis. “I look forward to being part of a high-caliber team that shares the vision of building a leading U.S. specialty neurology company.”