Akebia Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: AKBA) appointed Philip J. Vickers to its board of directors, effective April 1, 2026, according to a company statement.

Vickers currently serves as president and chief executive officer of Solu Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on drug discovery. He brings over 30 years of biopharmaceutical experience, having held leadership positions at companies including Faze Medicines, Northern Biologics, Shire, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer and Merck.

At Shire, Vickers served as executive vice president and global head of research and development, overseeing the company's global R&D organization. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto and has co-authored approximately 60 peer-reviewed publications.

"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," said Adrian Adams, chairperson of Akebia's board.

The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based biopharmaceutical company also announced that Steven C. Gilman retired from the board, effective the same date. Gilman had served as a board member since the company's merger with Keryx in December 2018.

Akebia focuses on developing treatments for kidney disease and was founded in 2007.