Sage Therapeutics announces changes to leadership team

The changes to Sage‘s leadership team are designed to help support the company’s future priorities. Al Robichaud, Sage’s Chief Scientific Officer since its founding in 2011, has decided to depart Sage. Al will remain as a scientific consultant and member of Sage’s Medicinal Chemistry and Pre-Clinical Scientific Advisory Boards. Mike Quirk will be promoted from SVP of Discovery Research to Chief Scientific Officer. In his new role, Dr. Quirk will lead Sage’s Research and Non-Clinical Development organizations. Jim Doherty, Chief Development Officer, also a founding member of Sage, will leave the company to pursue new opportunities. Both Dr. Robichaud and Dr. Doherty were pivotal in the development of the scientific platforms that established the company’s robust brain health pipeline. Both leaders played key roles in helping move the company’s two approved compounds from early discovery through approval. Laura Gault, Chief Medical Officer, will assume Dr. Doherty’s responsibilities. Chris Benecchi, Chief Business Officer, will oversee Medical Affairs following the departure of Mark Pollack, SVP of Medical Affairs who is leaving to pursue new opportunities. Dr. Pollack is a recognized thought leader in the psychiatric field and made significant contributions to Sage’s medical thought leader engagement strategy since joining Sage over a year ago.