Anavex Names Kellmeyer CEO After Three Resignations, Plans Independent Director Search

Anavex Life Sciences named interim chief executive Terrie Kellmeyer, Ph.D., president and CEO effective Nov. 1, formalizing its leadership change after three directors resigned over strategic misalignment.

Anavex announced the appointment Nov. 3. Jiong Ma, then the board chair, Gautam Patel and Adrian Senderowicz resigned from the board effective Oct. 28. In their resignation letters, the three cited strategic misalignment with the board and management over the company’s direction and business plan.

Kellmeyer also joined the board. Anavex reduced the board’s size from six seats to five and plans to seek an independent director for the open seat. Kellmeyer had served as interim CEO since May 4.

Before that role, she was senior vice president of clinical development from November 2023 to May 2025, then a senior adviser. Her annual base salary remains $500,000, and an annual bonus equal to 30% of base salary continues to be anticipated. The board plans to review her employment agreement and consult an independent compensation consultant.

Anavex is developing blarcamesine for Alzheimer’s disease, Rett syndrome and Fragile X syndrome. Kellmeyer described her priority as “disciplined execution of our clinical plans.”