(Sharecast News) - Drug discovery and development company Faron Pharmaceuticals has tapped James O'Brien to take over as its new chief financial officer.

O'Brien will succeed Toni Hänninen as CFO with effect from 3 April, with the latter set to leave the company in order to "pursue another career opportunity".

Prior to joining Faron, O'Brien served as CFO at clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Cognition Therapeutics and previously acted as executive vice president of finance at US-listed firm Enzo Biochem.

Chief executive Markku Jalkanen said: "I am thrilled to welcome James to Faron considering his strong record of performance in public markets, capital raising in the US, business development and strategic planning. His US business acumen will be a crucial asset for our company as we plot out the clinical development plan for our lead asset bexmarilimab."

As of 0935 BST, Faron shares were down 1.75% at 309.50p.

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com