Achieve Life Sciences names Dr. Mark Rubinstein interim CMO

Achieve Life Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: ACHV) announced that Dr. Mark Rubinstein will serve as interim chief medical officer, succeeding Dr. Cindy Jacobs, who is expected to provide advisory services to the company.

Dr. Rubinstein joined Achieve Life Sciences as head of medical affairs in October 2024. He previously served as head of medical affairs at Blip and vice president of global scientific affairs at Juul Labs. He holds professor emeritus status in pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, where he served on faculty for nearly 20 years.

The Seattle-based pharmaceutical company focuses on developing cytisinicline for nicotine dependence treatment. The Food and Drug Administration accepted the company's New Drug Application for cytisinicline in September 2025, with a completion date of June 20, 2026.

"We recently received FDA acceptance of our cytisinicline New Drug Application, and we are on track with our clinical, regulatory and commercialization objectives," said Rick Stewart, CEO of Achieve Life Sciences.

Cytisinicline has received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the FDA for e-cigarette cessation treatment. The company completed a Phase 2 study for vaping cessation and conducted an end-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA for a future vaping indication.

The drug candidate is a plant-derived alkaloid designed to bind to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors to reduce nicotine cravings and the satisfaction associated with nicotine products. Approximately 29 million adults in the United States smoke combustible cigarettes, while about 17 million use e-cigarettes, according to the company's statement based on the press release.

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