Two Cell Therapy Companies Bag New CEOs

Diana M. Brainard is jumping ship to take over the helm of AlloVir. Brainard, an infectious disease expert, will leave Gilead Sciences to take over the role of chief executive officer of the company focused on developing allogeneic cell therapies to control infections in immunocompromised patients.

Current AlloVir CEO David Hallal will step down from that dole and continue to serve as executive chairman of the board of directors. Hallal led the company from launch through a $276 million IPO last year. Shares of AlloVir inched up slightly upon news of the CEO transition.