The Cleveland-based regenerative medicine company that is preparing for commercialization of its MultiStem cell therapy named Daniel A. Camardo as CEO, effective Feb. 14. He also will join the company's board of directors. William (B.J.) Lehmann, who has been interim CEO at Athersys for nearly a year, will return to the roles of president and chief operating officer, which he held prior to the interim appointment.
Operator
Good day, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Athersys first-quarter 2021 results conference call. [Operator instructions] Please be advised, today s conference is being recorded. [Operator instructions] I would now hand the conference over to Ms.
Karen Hunady. Thank you. Please go ahead.
Karen Hunady
Director of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations
Thank you, and good afternoon, everyone. I m Karen Hunady, director of corporate communications and investor relations for Athersys. Thank you for joining today s call. If you do not have a copy of the press release issued at the close of market, it is available on the Athersys website at athersys.com.
Press release content from Business Wire. The AP news staff was not involved in its creation.
Athersys Announces CEO Transition
CLEVELAND, Ohio (BUSINESS WIRE) Feb 16, 2021
Athersys, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATHX), a regenerative medicine company developing MultiStem ® cell therapy, today announced that Dr. Gil Van Bokkelen has stepped down as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. The Athersys Board has appointed William (B.J.) Lehmann, the Company’s President and Chief Operating Officer, as Interim Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Ismail Kola, Lead Director of the Athersys Board, has been appointed Chairman of the Board.
The Company’s Board is commencing a comprehensive search process to identify a permanent CEO. The Board intends to identify and select a CEO who can guide Athersys in the commercial stage.
The Cleveland-based developer of the MultiStem cell therapy announced Tuesday morning, Feb. 16, that Van Bokkelen has stepped down from the roles effective immediately. Van Bokkelen co-founded Athersys in 1995. Athersys said its board of directors has appointed William (B.J.) Lehmann, the company's president and chief operating officer, as interim CEO. The board 'intends to identify and select a CEO who can guide Athersys in the commercial stage,' the company said.