Executive turnover is once again reshaping the biotechnology sector. Sarepta Therapeutics looks to rebound after a tough 2025, while Rivus Pharmaceuticals signals a new phase of growth with fresh leadership.

Sarepta CEO Douglas Ingram plans to step down

Sarepta said in a regulatory filing that CEO Douglas Ingram is planning to step down by the end of 2026 (or upon the appointment of his replacement) and that the company has commenced a search for a successor. Ingram served as chief executive officer since 2017.¹

The transition follows what the company described as a tumultuous 2025. Its gene therapy Elevidys, used to treat a type of muscle disorder, was linked to the deaths of two patients and falling sales.³

Last year, FDA asked Sarepta to voluntarily halt shipments of Elevidys and due to an investigation of deaths associated with the therapy. The treatment’s label carries the regulator’s most serious safety warning, along with stringent monitoring requirements after treatment.

Sarepta also announced 500 job cuts and halted development of several gene therapies for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy last year. Shares of the company fell 82% in 2025 and were down about 4% in after-market trading on Wednesday.

“Elevidys has emerged from a challenging year,” Ingram said on Wednesday, adding that the company is executing plans to put it on a potential pathway to make the treatment available to non-ambulatory patients.¹

Rivus appoints Jorge Bartolome as new CEO

While Sarepta seeks stability, Rivus Pharmaceuticals announced that Jorge Bartolome has been appointed chief executive officer and member of the board, succeeding co-founder Allen Cunningham, who will transition to chief operating officer.²

“Rivus is embarking on an important stage of its journey as the company advances two potentially transformative oral medicines targeting MASH, obesity, and associated cardiometabolic diseases,” said Ian F. Smith, co-chair of the board of Rivus Pharmaceuticals. “Jorge’s extensive pharmaceutical background in late-stage drug development and commercialization makes him the ideal leader for Rivus to navigate the unprecedented opportunity to treat MASH, obesity, and its co-morbidities.”

Bartolome brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, as he previously served as chief executive officer and director of AreteiaTx, and earlier as president of Janssen Canada, part of Johnson & Johnson, after holding increasingly senior roles over 20 years at GSK.

“I am honored to lead this talented team as we drive Rivus forward as a company with multiple oral therapies to address the growing unmet patient needs in MASH, obesity, and associated cardiometabolic diseases,” Bartolome said. He added that 2026 will be a pivotal year as the company advances HU6 in the Amplify Phase II trial in MASH and prepares its first clinical trial for RV-8451, described as a differentiated oral, muscle-preserving GLP-1, in obesity.

Sources

1. Sarepta Therapeutics CEO Ingram to retire by year end Reuters February 26, 2026 https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/sarepta-therapeutics-ceo-ingram-retire-by-year-end-2026-02-26/
2. Rivus Pharmaceuticals Appoints Jorge Bartolome as Chief Executive Officer Rivus Pharmaceuticals February 25, 2026 https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/02/25/3244576/0/en/Rivus-Pharmaceuticals-Appoints-Jorge-Bartolome-as-Chief-Executive-Officer.html
3. FDA Investigating Deaths Due to Acute Liver Failure Following Treatment with Sarepta’s AAVrh74 Gene Therapies. FDA. July 18, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/safety-availability-biologics/fda-investigating-deaths-due-acute-liver-failure-following-treatment-sareptas-aavrh74-gene-therapies?
4. Sarepta Therapeutics Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2025 Financial Results and Recent Corporate Developments Sarepta Therapeutics February 25, 2026 https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260225315000/en/Sarepta-Therapeutics-Announces-Fourth-Quarter-and-Full-Year-2025-Financial-Results-and-Recent-Corporate-Developments