By Connor Hart
Xeris Biopharma said its board appointed John Shannon as chairman, effective July 1, nearly two years after he assumed the role of chief executive.
Shannon succeeds Marla Persky as chair of the board, though Persky will remain on the board as lead independent director, the biopharmaceutical company said Tuesday.
"When John was appointed CEO, the board wanted him to focus on strategy and growth," Persky said. She added that in the time since, he has clearly demonstrated the leadership and vision necessary to advance the company.
"His successes, combined with his deep understanding of the business, clearly demonstrate that John is the ideal person to now also serve as chairman," she said.
Shannon joined Xeris in 2017 as chief operating officer. He was previously promoted to president in 2020.
Xeris also on Tuesday appointed Nerissa Kreher to its board, expanding it to eight members.
Kreher currently serves as chief medical officer of Alltrna, where she leads clinical development, regulatory and patient advocacy, Xeris said.
She has more than two decades of experience, having previously held leadership roles at companies including Entrada Therapeutics, Tiburio Therapeutics and AvroBio.
Write to Connor Hart at connor.hart@wsj.com