Akebia Therapeutics Appoints Biopharmaceutical Leader to Board

Philip Vickers, Ph.D. joins the board as the company evaluates rare disease drug programs

Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:05pm

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Akebia Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company focused on kidney disease, has appointed Philip J. Vickers, Ph.D. to its Board of Directors. Dr. Vickers is the President and CEO of Solu Therapeutics and has over three decades of experience in drug development and R&D leadership roles at companies like Shire, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Pfizer.

Why it matters

Akebia is at a transformative point as it looks to advance its pipeline of kidney and rare disease drug candidates. Dr. Vickers' extensive background in biopharmaceutical R&D and business development will be valuable as the company evaluates new opportunities.

The details

Dr. Vickers will join Akebia's Board effective April 1, 2026. He has held senior leadership roles at several early-stage biotechs as well as large pharmaceutical companies, contributing to discovery and development efforts across multiple therapeutic areas. Akebia also announced the retirement of Steven C. Gilman, Ph.D. from its Board of Directors.

  • Dr. Vickers will join the Akebia Board on April 1, 2026.
  • Dr. Gilman retired from the Akebia Board on April 1, 2026.

The players

Philip J. Vickers, Ph.D.

President and Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board of Directors of Solu Therapeutics, a venture-backed biotechnology company.

Adrian Adams

Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Akebia Therapeutics.

John P. Butler

Chief Executive Officer of Akebia Therapeutics.

Steven C. Gilman, Ph.D.

Former member of the Board of Directors of Akebia Therapeutics.

Akebia Therapeutics

A biopharmaceutical company with the purpose to better the lives of people impacted by kidney disease.

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What they’re saying

“We are delighted to welcome Phil to our Board. His extensive background in drug development and leading large and complex R&D organizations will be extremely valuable as Akebia advances both mid-and early-stage programs in kidney and rare diseases. Moreover, Dr. Vickers has an impressive track record of actively evaluating business development opportunities. We could not ask for a more timely and well-rounded addition to our Board at this exciting time for the Company.”

— Adrian Adams, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Akebia Therapeutics

“I am pleased to be joining the Akebia Board of Directors at a point of transformation as the company begins evaluating its promising assets to address rare kidney diseases. Furthermore, I am very impressed by Akebia's dedication to patients and by the caliber of its management team. I look forward to supporting the team as they advance their drug development imperatives.”

— Philip J. Vickers, Ph.D.

“Steve has been an invaluable member of Akebia's Board of Directors. On behalf of the entire Board I wanted to thank him for his dedication and service to Akebia, notably through the merger and the development, approval and commercialization of Vafseo® (vadadustat). We wish him the very best in his retirement.”

— John P. Butler, Chief Executive Officer, Akebia Therapeutics

The takeaway

Akebia Therapeutics is bolstering its board with the addition of an experienced biopharmaceutical leader as it looks to advance its pipeline of kidney and rare disease drug candidates. The appointment of Dr. Vickers signals the company's commitment to innovation and strategic growth.