Cara Therapeutics appoints Board member Chris Posner as new CEO

– USA, CT –  Cara Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CARA), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing new chemical entities designed to alleviate pruritus by selectively targeting peripheral kappa opioid receptors, today announced the appointment of Board member Chris Posner as President and CEO, effective November 9, 2021, succeeding Dr. Derek Chalmers, who will transition to a Senior Advisor role.

“I would also like to congratulate Chris on his appointment as President and CEO. We believe his successful track record in commercial operations, product management and dermatology product development will help enable Cara to execute a successful commercial launch of KORSUVA injection as well as achieve the Company’s overall strategic objective to become the leader in the treatment of itch-dominant medical conditions such as atopic dermatitis.” said Lead Independent Director, Martin Vogelbaum.

About Christopher Posner

Chris Posner joins the Company from LEO Pharma, Inc., the US affiliate of LEO Pharma A/S, a global leader in medical dermatology, where he was President and CEO. While at LEO, Mr. Posner was responsible for a portfolio of innovative medical dermatology products in atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and rosacea. Mr. Posner has more than 23 years of global pharmaceutical management, sales, and product launch experience involving products such as Xeljanz and Enbrel.

“Cara Therapeutics is at a transformative time in its growth and development as it prepares to launch KORSUVA injection, the first and only therapy approved by the FDA for the treatment of pruritus associated with chronic kidney disease in adults undergoing hemodialysis,” said Mr. Posner. “I am excited to join Cara at this pivotal stage, as we prepare to commercialize KORSUVA injection and continue to develop oral KORSUVA as a broad antipruritic therapy for medical conditions with significant unmet needs, including atopic dermatitis.”

Before joining LEO, Mr. Posner was the Head of Worldwide Commercial Operations at R-Pharma-US, LLC, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on oncology and chronic immune disorders. Previously, Mr. Posner held roles of increasing responsibility in senior management positions in commercial and marketing operations at Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Pfizer Inc., Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Endo Pharmaceuticals plc.

Mr. Posner holds an M.B.A. from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and a B.A. in economics from Villanova University.

About Cara Therapeutics

Cara Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing new chemical entities designed to alleviate pruritus by selectively targeting peripheral kappa opioid receptors or KORs. Cara is developing a novel and proprietary class of product candidates, led by KORSUVA, a first-in-class KOR agonist that targets the body’s peripheral nervous system, as well as certain immune cells. KORSUVA Injection was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of moderate-to-severe pruritus associated with chronic kidney disease in adults undergoing hemodialysis on August 23, 2021. Oral KORSUVA has completed Phase 2 trials for the treatment of pruritus in patients with CKD and atopic dermatitis and is currently in Phase 2 trials in primary biliary cholangitis and nostalgia paresthetica patients with moderate-to-severe pruritus.

For more information: https://www.caratherapeutics.com/

- DisclaimerNews, data, and statements included in this release are intended exclusively for general information purposes. Talent4Boards does not guarantee that news is accurate or about the correct person and accepts neither liability for the consequences of the reader’s reliance, nor responsibility for the accuracy of the information. Nothing in this release should be considered for decisions about referred securities. Products and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Talent4Boards Team