Harmony Biosciences Holdings Inc, maker of WAKIX (pitolisant) for adults with narcolepsy, has appointed Jeffrey M. Dayno, MD, president and CEO. He will also join the board of directors.
The new CEO joined Harmony as chief medical officer and executive vice president when the company was founded in 2017 and has been serving as interim president and CEO since Jan. 6.
Harmony board chairman Jeff Aronin says in a release that Dayno, a neuroscience expert, played a critical role in the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Harmony’s key asset, WAKIX, and helped to shape commercial strategy.
“Dr. Dayno has been an influential leader since day one. The board unanimously appointed him president and CEO because it firmly believes in his vision for ongoing strong growth in critical areas of the business,” says Aronin in the release. “We believe he will continue to expand the WAKIX franchise in narcolepsy, pursue new indications for patients, and advance the pipeline of new assets. That is a clear path to short- and long-term value for Harmony’s shareholders.”
Dayno expressed appreciation for the board’s confidence in his leadership.
“After 12 years as a practicing neurologist taking care of patients, followed by 25 years in the industry touching every aspect of the business, I have seen the impact that developing and delivering innovative treatments can have on patients and their families. I am honored that the board has asked me to lead the company forward in our next phase of growth,” says Dayno in the release.
WAKIX, a first-in-class medication approved by the FDA for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness or cataplexy in adult patients with narcolepsy, has been commercially available in the US since 2019.
Photo caption: Jeffrey Dayno
Photo credit: Harmony Biosciences
