BOSTON — Life Biosciences, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing cellular rejuvenation medicines aimed at reversing diseases of aging, has appointed former Spark Therapeutics Chief Financial Officer Stephen Webster to its Board of Directors, effective Aug. 1.
Webster brings extensive experience in biotechnology finance, commercialization and corporate governance. He has served as chief financial officer of three public companies and has been involved in multiple financings, product launches and acquisitions.
“Stephen Webster is an accomplished finance executive and board leader with an exceptional track record,” said Jerry McLaughlin, Chief Executive Officer of Life Biosciences. “Throughout his career, Stephen has demonstrated expertise in raising capital and assisting with complex product launches. In ophthalmology, this includes the IPO of Spark Therapeutics, Inc., and the commercialization of LUXTURNA®. As Life Bio enters its next phase of growth, Stephen’s experience building and scaling innovative biotech companies will be invaluable.”
Webster began his career in investment banking before becoming Co-founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Neuronyx, where he led the company into a collaboration with Johnson & Johnson. He later served as Chief Financial Officer of Optimer Pharmaceuticals and Adolor Corporation, both of which were acquired by Cubist Pharmaceuticals. Cubist was subsequently acquired by Merck & Co.
At Spark Therapeutics, Webster led approximately $1 billion in equity financings and oversaw the company’s 2015 initial public offering. He also supported the commercial launch of LUXTURNA, the first gene therapy approved in the United States for ophthalmic use, and helped lead Spark’s $4.3 billion acquisition by Roche.
Since retiring from Spark, Webster has served on the boards of several public and private companies, including companies that later completed initial public offerings. He currently serves on the boards of Cullinan Therapeutics, NextCure, Eloxx Pharmaceuticals and Imvax.
Webster holds an A.B. in economics from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
“I have been impressed with Life Bio’s disciplined and innovative approach to reversing age-related disease,” Webster said. “The company has built a compelling scientific foundation and has advanced its technology with a rigorous, data-driven development strategy. I look forward to working with the Board and management team to help broaden and deepen the company’s industry-defining epigenetic restoration platform across multiple organ systems.”
David Sinclair, Ph.D., A.O., Co-founder and Chair of the Board of Life Biosciences, said Webster’s financing, biotechnology industry and governance experience would strengthen the company as it advances its programs targeting age-related diseases.
“I am delighted to welcome Stephen to our Board,” Sinclair said. “As we continue to build a leading biotechnology company focused on reversing age-related diseases, his strong financing, industry, and governance experience will be tremendous assets.”
