About
Cynthia Smith has served as a member of Akebia Therapeutics' Board of Directors since August 2018. Since 2016 she has served as a board member and strategic advisor for biotechnology companies. She previously served as Chief Commercial Officer and a member of the Executive Committee of ZS Pharma, Inc. from 2013 to 2016 (acquired by AstraZeneca in 2015), as Vice President, Market Access and Commercial Development at Affymax, Inc. from 2008 to 2013, and held various senior leadership positions at Merck & Co. from 2000 to 2008. Before her industry career she was a healthcare policy analyst in the Office of Management and Budget at the White House from 1995 to 2000.
Roles
Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.
Director (Class I) · Current role
2018–present
ZS Pharma, Inc.
Chief Commercial Officer and Executive Committee member · Specialty pharmaceutical company acquired by AstraZeneca in 2015.
2013-2016
Affymax, Inc.
Vice President, Market Access and Commercial Development
2008-2013
Merck & Co.
Senior leadership positions in market access, corporate strategy and external affairs
2000-2008
External Roles
Protara Therapeutics, Inc.
Board of directors
—
Spero Therapeutics, Inc.
Board of directors
—
Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Board of directors
—
Tvardi Therapeutics, Inc.
Board of directors
—
French-American Foundation
Board of directors
—
Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Board of directors
2018-2021
Nivalis Therapeutics, Inc.
Board of directors
2016-2017
Director Compensation
FY 2025
Fees earned or paid in cash
$70,000
Also at Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.