Strategic Leap: Craig Wheeler Joins Apellis Board to Power the Next Era of Biotech Innovation

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced the appointment of Craig Wheeler to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mr. Wheeler is the founder and chief executive officer of Headwaters Biotech Advisors and brings with him more than three decades of leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Prior to his current role, Mr. Wheeler served as president and chief executive officer of Momenta Pharmaceuticals. During his 14-year tenure at Momenta, he played a key role in leading the company from its early stages through several product launches and ultimately oversaw its acquisition by Johnson & Johnson in 2020. Before joining Momenta, he held the position of president at Chiron Biopharmaceuticals, where he managed a fully integrated global pharmaceutical business comprising approximately 2,500 employees worldwide.

Cedric Francois, M.D., Ph.D., chief executive officer and co-founder, Apellis, said in a statement, “We are thrilled to welcome Craig to the Apellis Board of Directors. Craig is a seasoned leader, who has successfully grown biopharmaceutical companies into strong commercial organizations with robust pipelines. His expertise will be a tremendous asset to our Board as we continue to deliver innovative therapies to patients.”

Mr. Wheeler mentioned, “I have long admired Apellis’s commitment to advancing innovative therapies for patients with significant unmet needs. Having previously led an immunology company, I believe that Apellis’s portfolio and scientific approach are among the best in the industry. I look forward to joining the outstanding leadership team at Apellis.”

In addition to his executive roles, Mr. Wheeler has also contributed significantly as a board member across various organizations. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Amicus Therapeutics and has previously been a board member at Avanir Pharmaceuticals, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association, and the California Healthcare Institute.

Mr. Wheeler holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Marketing from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He also earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University. His extensive background and leadership expertise are expected to bring valuable insight to the Apellis Board as the company continues to advance its mission in the field of targeted C3 therapies.