Novocure (NASDAQ: NVCR) today announced the appointment of Frank Leonard as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately. Mr. Leonard previously served as President of Novocure and succeeds Ashley Cordova who has resigned from the company.
“During his more than 15-year career at Novocure, Frank has led many of our global business operations developing deep expertise in delivering our unique, device-based cancer therapy to patients to extend their survivals. Frank has been instrumental in creating Novocure’s culture and guiding the organization at critical points, including preparing the company for its first commercial launch and establishing the business functions that continue to drive our growth,” said William Doyle, Executive Chairman, Novocure. “Frank embodies Novocure’s core values and has an unwavering commitment to our patient-forward mission. He is the ideal person to lead our organization through the exciting, transformative milestones anticipated in the years ahead. We are thrilled for him to step into the CEO role.
“On behalf of the Novocure Board of Directors, I want to thank Ashley Cordova for the contributions she made to our organization during her career at Novocure. She was unquestionably dedicated to our mission and helped build Novocure into the company it is today. We wish her success in her future endeavors,” continued Mr. Doyle.
Mr. Leonard joined Novocure in 2010 to prepare the company for its first commercial launch and he has held various leadership roles including establishing Novocure’s finance, reimbursement, and business development functions, and led the company’s early innovation and product development teams. In his role as Novocure’s President, Frank led global sales, marketing, field medical affairs, patient experience, public affairs, market access, and product and portfolio strategy functions.
“The patient is at the center of what we do and why we are committed to extending survival in the most aggressive cancers,” said Mr. Leonard. “I am honored to lead Novocure and partner with our incredible employees around the world as we prepare to launch products in new indications, complete multiple clinical trials, and work to deliver the full potential of our innovative therapy.”