atai Life Sciences (NASDAQ:ATAI, ETR:9VC) has announced several key leadership appointments to advance its aim of delivering innovative mental health therapies.
Dr Srinivas Rao has officially transitioned to the role of sole chief executive officer, following his promotion to co-CEO in mid-2024.
Dr Rao brings over 24 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, having held various senior leadership positions in startups and public companies.
Dr Kevin Craig has been named chief medical officer. In this role, he will oversee clinical development, including the advancement of atai’s leading programs, VLS-01 (buccal film DMT) and EMP-01 (R-MDMA).
Dr Craig joined the company in 2021 and previously served as Senior Vice President of Clinical Development. He has extensive experience in clinical trial design and execution, gained from his time at Jazz Pharmaceuticals and his academic career at the University of Cambridge.
Promoted to chief scientific officer is Dr Glenn Short, who will direct research programs, including the development of non-hallucinogenic 5-HT2AR agonists.
Additionally, joining atai as its chief operating officer is Dr Gerd Kochendoerfer. Dr Kochendoerfer has worked across the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors for more than 25 years, having previously worked at NFlection Therapeutics and BridgeBio-affiliated PellePharm Inc.
Rao, atai’s CEO, said in a statement that the company has bolstered its leadership at a pivotal time as it advances VLS-01 and EMP-01 into Phase 2 clinical trials.
“Kevin, Glenn and Gerd bring exceptional expertise that will further enhance our capabilities in clinical development, scientific innovation and operational excellence,” Rao said.
“It is a privilege to lead atai during this critical phase of our evolution, supported by a world-class team of biotech and pharmaceutical experts.”
Rao also highlighted the company’s anticipation of the Phase 2b data readout for Beckley Psytech’s BPL-003, expected mid-year.
“This is a key milestone and an important step towards the potential of commercially scalable short-duration psychedelic therapies for people with treatment-resistant depression,” the CEO said.