Vital Therapies names Faheem Hasnain to board of directors

Vital Therapies Inc. recently announced the appointment of Faheem Hasnain to its board of directors.

Along with being named to the board, Hasnain has also purchased investment shares. Hasnain’s appointment to the Vital Board of Directors is effective immediately.

"We are excited to have Faheem join the Vital Therapies board of directors," Vital Therapies Co-Chairman Muneer Satter said. "Faheem’s strong track record in biotechnology drug development will be extremely valuable as we continue executing on our current phase 3 trial, VTL-308."

From November 2010 to August 2015, Hasnain had previously served as the president, CEO and director of Receptos, Inc., a public company specializing in immunology and metabolic disorders that was formed in 2009. Before working for Receptos, he served as president, CEO and director of Facet Biotech Corp. and has also held the positions of president and CEO of PDL BioPharma and, most recently, EVP heading the oncology/rheumatology strategic business unit of Biogen.

A biotherapeutic company, Vital is currently developing ELAD, a cell-based therapy targeting the treatment of acute forms of liver failure.

"I am delighted to work with the board and Vital Therapies’ executive team," Hasnain said. "I believe ELAD is a promising therapy addressing an important unmet need and look forward to helping guide its development and potential commercialization."