John Varian Joins Acorda Therapeutics Board of Directors

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACOR) today announced that John Varian has joined its board of directors, effective January 1, 2022.

“We are delighted that John has joined Acorda’s board of directors,” said Ron Cohen, M.D., Acorda’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We expect his insights and counsel to contribute significantly as we continue to make progress on our corporate goals, including optimizing the company’s financial structure and accelerating the growth of INBRIJA.”

“I look to serve on Boards of companies that represent significant opportunities, as well as challenges where my experience and skill sets can be helpful. Acorda is such a company, and I am excited to be joining the Board,” said Mr. Varian. “Acorda has two important products on the market, one for Parkinson’s disease and one for multiple sclerosis. I’m impressed by the progress they have made in 2021 in addressing the company’s challenges, and I look forward to helping build on this progress in 2022 and beyond.”

John Kelley, Acorda’s Board Chair, added: “I welcome John, on behalf of Acorda’s Board. John has extensive experience as a biopharma leader, including as both a CFO and CEO. He has successfully managed challenges similar to those that Acorda is addressing, and we look forward to working with him to build shareholder value”.

Mr. Varian currently serves on the board of directors for AmMax Bio and for Sellas Life Sciences, where he is Chair of the Audit Committee and on its Nominating and Goverance Committee and Science Committee. Previously, he was the Chief Executive Officer of XOMA Corporation, where he led a financial restructuring of the company and also served on its Board of Directors. Mr. Varian previously held roles as Chief Operating Officer of ARYx Therapeutics, Inc., Chief Financial Officer of Genset S.A., and as Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration for Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Mr. Varian also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Versartis, Inc. and Egalet Corporation.

About Acorda Therapeutics
Acorda Therapeutics develops therapies to restore function and improve the lives of people with neurological disorders. INBRIJA^® is approved for intermittent treatment of OFF episodes in adults with Parkinson’s disease treated with carbidopa/levodopa. INBRIJA is not to be used by patients who take or have taken a nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitor such as phenelzine or tranylcypromine within the last two weeks. INBRIJA utilizes Acorda’s innovative ARCUS^® pulmonary delivery system, a technology platform designed to deliver medication through inhalation. Acorda also markets the branded AMPYRA^® (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets, 10 mg.