Sarepta Therapeutics Appoints Renowned Biotech Executive John C. Martin to its Board of Directors

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. (SRPT), the leader in precision genetic medicine for rare diseases, announced that it has appointed John C. Martin, Ph.D., to its Board of Directors, effective today. Dr. Martin brings decades of executive leadership to Sarepta’s board, having played an instrumental role in building one of the world’s foremost biotechnology companies. During his 20-year tenure as chief executive officer of Gilead Sciences, he oversaw the growth of the company and development of its scientific portfolio into 24 marketed products.

“John’s business record is unparalleled, and he brings expertise and insight gleaned from leading the long-term, transformational growth of one of the industry’s premier companies that will add to the strength of the Sarepta board. We are incredibly fortunate to welcome him to the company’s board of directors,” said M. Kathleen Behrens, Ph.D., Chairperson of Sarepta’s Board of Directors.

“Having introduced curative therapies, John’s vision, acumen, and wisdom are unique in our industry. As Sarepta prepares to deliver one-time therapies for rare diseases, John’s strategic guidance as a member of the company’s board will be invaluable as we work to change the model for how rare diseases are treated,” said Doug Ingram, Sarepta’s president and chief executive officer.

Dr. Martin served as the Executive Chairman and Chairman of Gilead Sciences, Inc., from March 2016 through March 2019, after having served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from June 2008 through March 2016 and President and Chief Executive Officer from 1996 through May 2008. He joined Gilead in 1990 as Vice President, Research and Development. Prior to Gilead, Dr. Martin held several leadership positions at Bristol-Myers Squibb and Syntex Corporation. Martin currently serves on the Board of Directors at The Scripps Research Institute and Kronos Bio. Additionally, he served on the Centers for Disease Control/Health Resources and Services Administration’s Advisory Committee on HIV and STD Prevention and Treatment and was a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. In 2008, Dr. Martin was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering and, in 2019, he received the National Academy of Sciences Award for Chemistry in Service to Society.

Dr. Martin holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Chicago, an MBA from Golden Gate University and a B.S. degree in chemical engineering from Purdue University.

Heidrick & Struggles led the search process for Sarepta.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will," "intends," "potential," "possible" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the expectation that Dr. Martin’s expertise and insight will add to the strength of the Sarepta board and that Dr. Martin’s strategic guidance will be invaluable as Sarepta prepares to deliver one-time therapies for rare diseases; and Sarepta’s mission to profoundly improve and extend the lives of patients with rare genetic-based diseases.

These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Sarepta’s control. Known risk factors include, among others: Sarepta may not be able to execute on its business plans, including meeting its expected or planned regulatory milestones and timelines, clinical development plans, and bringing its products to U.S. and ex-U.S. markets for various reasons including possible limitations of company financial and other resources, manufacturing limitations that may not be anticipated or resolved for in a timely manner, and regulatory, court or agency decisions, such as decisions by the United States Patent and Trademark Office with respect to patents that cover Sarepta’s product candidates; and those risks identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in Sarepta’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as well as other SEC filings made by the Company which you are encouraged to review.