New Haven’s Melinta Therapeutics Inc., which develops antibiotics to treat serious bacterial infections, says it tapped one of its directors as interim CEO.
Melinta’s board of directors this week appointed John H. Johnson effective immediately. Johnson succeeds Dan Wechsler, who is resigning as CEO, president and director to pursue other opportunities, the company said.
Melinta said its board and Wechsler mutually agreed to part ways.
Johnson takes over Melinta’s lead post with over 30 years of biopharmaceutical industry, executive leadership and commercial experience at organizations including Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly & Co., ImClone and Pfizer, Inc.
He has previously served as director at Cempra Pharmaceuticals and Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc., and was president and CEO of biotech company Dendreon Corp., among other executive positions.
Johnson currently serves on the boards of Aveo Oncology, Histogenics Corporation, Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and is chairman of Strongbridge Biopharma plc.
