- After less than two years in the position
- Praise and thanks for Meek
- Chuck Baum taking over temporarily
- Meek kept it short and said 55 words
(exechange) — San Diego, California, August 8, 2023 — David Meek, chief executive of Mirati, leaves his position — as “mutually agreed.” As announced by Mirati Therapeutics Inc. in a news release and in a regulatory filing published on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, David Meek has left his post as chief executive officer at the commercial stage biotechnology company, after less than two years in the role, effective August 7, 2023.
Generally speaking, it raises questions when a CEO leaves his post abruptly and after a short tenure.
David Meek’s duties as CEO will be taken over temporarily by Charles M. (Chuck) Baum, a former Chief Executive Officer at Mirati Therapeutics Inc., as interim Chief Executive Officer.
No reason given
In the announcement, Mirati did not explicitly explain the reason for the move.
Precise information regarding David Meek’s future plans was not immediately available.
“Step down/resigned”
Mirati said: “David Meek and the Company mutually agreed for Mr. Meek to step down from his role as CEO and as a member of the Board of Directors.”
Mirati further said: “On August 7, 2023 (the “Meek Separation Date”), David Meek resigned as a member of the Company’s board of directors and as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and principal executive officer.”
“Not the result of a disagreement”
Mirati stated, regarding the change: “Mr. Meek’s resignation was not the result of a disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.”
Share price decline since September 2021
The announcement follows a decline in Mirati Therapeutics Inc.’s share price of 84% since September 2021. September 2021 is the month in which Meek’s tenure as CEO began.
In the position of CEO since 2021
David Meek became CEO of the Company in 2021.
Meek will remain as a consultant to the Company through October 15, 2023.
David Meek has served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors since September 2021.
He previously served as the President, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of FerGene, Inc., a biotechnology company, from January 2020 to March 2021.
From July 2016 to January 2020, Meek served as Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of Ipsen, a public global biopharmaceutical company based in France.
Prior to joining Ipsen, Meek held executive leadership roles including serving as Executive Vice President and President of Oncology at Baxalta Incorporated from 2014 to 2016 leading up to the acquisition by Shire, and serving as Chief Commercial Officer of Endocyte, Inc. from 2012 to 2014.
He also served in executive leadership roles at Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Novartis Oncology from 2005 to 2012, after beginning his career at Johnson & Johnson, Inc. and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from 1989 to 2004.
Meek served on the boards of Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America and European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries & Associations.
He serves on the board of directors of uniQure N.V., a public biotech company, and he previously served on the board of directors of Entasis Therapeutics Inc. from June 2019 to July 2022 (acquired by Innoviva, Inc.).
Meek holds a B.A. from the University of Cincinnati.
55 words by David Meek
In the news release announcing his departure as CEO of Mirati Therapeutics Inc., David Meek received praise and thanks.
In announcing his departure, David Meek kept it short and said 55 words.
“Purpose and passion”
David Meek stated: “I am proud of the accomplishments Mirati has achieved with the successful launch of KRAZATI and advancing an innovative pipeline. I had the pleasure of working with an accomplished team, and together we have helped to improve the lives of many people which is and will continue to be a purpose and passion going forward.”
Push-out Score for David Meek’s move determined
The Push-out Score indicates on a scale of 0 to 10 how likely it is that David Meek was pushed out or felt pressure to leave his position.
exechange reached out to Mirati and offered the company the opportunity to comment on the score.
Read the full story in the exechange report 33.2023 ($).