On October 7, 2025, Stoke Therapeutics announced that its Board of Directors appointed Ian F. Smith as Chief Executive Officer. The appointment followed Smith’s service as interim CEO since March 2025 and his long‑standing role as a board member and advisor since 2023.
Smith brings more than 30 years of experience in the biopharma industry, having served as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. During his tenure at Vertex, he guided the company through a major strategic pivot, transforming it from a research‑stage company into a global biopharmaceutical leader in rare disease innovation.
The new CEO appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Stoke, as the company has launched the global Phase 3 EMPEROR study of its lead candidate zorevunersen and continues to expand its pipeline with a second clinical program in autosomal dominant optic atrophy. The Biogen collaboration, which provides a $165 million upfront payment and shared development costs, remains a key driver of Stoke’s financial and clinical momentum.
Smith’s appointment is expected to provide continuity and deep operational expertise, reinforcing investor confidence as Stoke advances its first‑in‑class RNA‑based platform toward regulatory approval and commercialization. The leadership change positions the company to capitalize on its recent financial gains and accelerate progress toward its long‑term growth objectives.
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