Viracta Therapeutics Appoints Michael Faerm as Chief Financial Officer

SAN DIEGO, May 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIRX), a clinical-stage precision oncology company focused on the treatment and prevention of virus-associated cancers that impact patients worldwide, today announced the appointment of Michael Faerm as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Faerm is a seasoned biotech executive with more than 25 years of experience in life sciences companies, equity research and investment banking.

“We are delighted to welcome Mike, an accomplished life sciences industry & Wall Street veteran, who we believe will be instrumental in supporting our next phase of development,” said Mark Rothera, President and Chief Executive Officer of Viracta. “The encouraging clinical data generated to date underscores the potential of Nana-val’s innovative ‘Kick and Kill’ approach to effectively address the unmet treatment needs for patients with EBV-associated cancers. As we advance Nana-val through late-stage development and towards several pivotal milestones, we look forward to leveraging Mike’s strategic, operational and financial leadership.”

Mr. Faerm added, “I am thrilled to join Viracta at this exciting time and relish the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the company’s future. I look forward to working with the talented team at Viracta to progress the development of Nana-val and advance the company’s mission to bring innovative therapies to patients with virus-associated cancers.”

Mr. Faerm most recently served as Interim Chief Financial Officer at Harpoon Therapeutics, Inc., which was acquired by Merck for approximately $680 million, and where he helped lead a $150 million PIPE financing. Prior to Harpoon, Mr. Faerm was the Chief Financial Officer of Artiva Biotherapeutics, Inc., where he led financial strategy and operations, and oversaw the company’s investor relations, financial planning, accounting and facilities functions. Previously, Mr. Faerm served as a consulting and interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer for numerous biopharma companies. Prior to this, Mr. Faerm served as the Chief Business Officer of Innoviva, Inc. (formerly Theravance, Inc.), and earlier, worked in business development and strategic finance roles at Forest Laboratories and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Faerm’s Wall Street experience includes Credit Suisse and Wells Fargo Securities, where he was a senior equity research analyst covering the pharmaceutical sector, and Merrill Lynch, where he was an investment banker executing a wide range of strategic and capital markets transactions in biopharma and other healthcare sectors. Mr. Faerm earned his MBA from Harvard Business School, an M.S. in civil engineering from Stanford University, and a B.S. in civil engineering from Columbia University.