Avidity Biosciences, Inc. announced the appointment of Simona Skerjanec, M.Pharm, MBA to its board of directors, effective May 14, 2024. Ms. Skerjanec, 59, Ms. Skerjanec brings nearly three decades of global experience in the pharmaceutical industry with a strong track record in developing and launching therapies, as well as shaping corporate strategy to deliver transformative treatments to people living with serious diseases. Ms. Skerjanec has led multiple research and development efforts that have resulted in regulatory approvals and launches of commercial therapies in therapeutic areas including neurology and cardiology in the U.S. and other countries.

Most recently, Ms. Skerjanec was the Senior Vice President and Global Neuroscience Head at Roche in Switzerland and led the business and global strategy for Roche's portfolio of neurological and rare diseases, including Ocrevus® for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and a novel monoclonal antibody for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. During her nine-year tenure at Roche, she also served as a General Manager of Roche in Portugal. Prior to joining Roche, Simona was Senior Vice President and Cardiovascular franchise head at The Medicines Company where she held various roles of increasing responsibilities in development and commercialization.

She also held positions at Eli Lilly, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson. Ms. Skerjanec received her M.Pharm from the University of Ljubljana School of Pharmacy and her MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University.