Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (NASDAQ: AVXL) appointed Terrie Kellmeyer as interim chief executive officer following the departure of Christopher Missling from the company on April 30, 2026, according to a company statement.

Kellmeyer previously served as senior vice president of clinical development at the biopharmaceutical company and currently holds the position of senior advisor. The board of directors requested Missling's resignation, the company said.

The new interim CEO brings nearly three decades of pharmaceutical industry experience across drug development, having previously led global regulatory affairs, clinical development, clinical operations, safety, quality assurance and medical affairs departments at multiple healthcare companies. Kellmeyer has overseen regulatory submissions that resulted in FDA and EMA approvals, according to the company.

"I look forward to executing and refining Anavex's clinical, regulatory and operational strategy and working closing with the regulatory authorities that will help advance the development of our compounds," Kellmeyer stated. She noted the company's focus on oral blarcamesine for early Alzheimer's disease treatment.

The company said it maintains a strong cash balance with no long-term debt. Anavex develops treatments for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, neurodevelopmental disorders, neurodegenerative conditions and rare diseases including Rett syndrome.

Anavex expects to file a Form 12b-25 to extend the deadline for its quarterly report covering the period ended March 31, 2026, as it will not meet the Securities and Exchange Commission's filing requirements by the original due date. The company plans to host a conference call regarding second quarter 2026 financial results at a later date.