Cocrystal Pharma has named James Sapirstein as CEO and board member, replacing co-CEOs Sam Lee and Jim Martin, with Lee shifting to Chief Scientific Officer and Martin retaining CFO duties. Sapirstein brings leadership on 23 product launches and extensive antiviral development experience ahead of advancing Cocrystal’s structure-based drug discovery platform.
Cocrystal Pharma has appointed James Sapirstein as Chief Executive Officer and board member effective immediately, replacing the co-CEO structure previously held by Sam Lee and Jim Martin.
Under the new structure, Sam Lee will transition from President to Chief Scientific Officer while Jim Martin continues in his role as Chief Financial Officer.
James Sapirstein has led 23 product launches, served as CEO of Contravir Pharmaceuticals and Tobira Therapeutics, held EVP positions at Serono Laboratories, and held senior marketing roles at Gilead Sciences and Bristol Myers Squibb.
Cocrystal’s proprietary platform uses near-atomic resolution X-ray data to design broad-spectrum antiviral candidates that target conserved viral enzymes and advance rapidly through discovery and optimization.
