James Robinson was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Urovant Sciences, Inc., on March 23, 2020, having served as a member of our board of directors since March 2019. Mr. Robinson is a proven leader in the biopharmaceutical and healthcare industries having successfully led multiple global businesses, operations and commercial ventures in multiple corporations over the past 28 years.

Most recently, Mr. Robinson held the position of President and Chief Operating Officer at Paragon Biosciences where he oversaw Paragon’s operations. Previously, Mr. Robinson served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Alkermes, where he was responsible for global commercial, new product planning, corporate planning, manufacturing, quality, human resources and business development functions. Prior to Alkermes, Mr. Robinson spent over twelve years at Astellas U.S. – most recently as President, Americas Operations where his responsibilities included all aspects of operations for North and South America. Prior to that, he was President of Astellas Pharma US, where he was responsible for leading the U.S. commercial organization. Prior to Astellas, Mr. Robinson spent thirteen years at Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals where his last role was Vice President, Hepatitis Sales and Managed Care.

In addition to his membership on the Urovant Board of Directors, Mr. Robinson also was named to the Board of Directors of Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation in December 2021. He also currently serves as an advisor to BridgeBio. Previously, Mr. Robinson served on the Board of Directors for Neos Therapeutics prior to its acquisition by Aytu Biopharma. He also previously served on the Board of Directors of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and served as Chairman of PhRMA’s State Committee. He is a founding member of MATTER. Mr. Robinson received a Bachelor of Science degree from DePaul University.

Ryan Card was named executive vice president, general counsel, and chief compliance officer of Urovant Sciences in April 2021.  In this role, he leads the company’s legal and compliance functions. Mr. Card joined Urovant in March 2020 as vice president, associate general counsel, providing strategic legal counsel in support of the launch of the company’s first commercial product, GEMTESA® (vibegron). Prior to joining Urovant, Mr. Card was executive director, senior counsel with Allergan plc, where he was chief counsel for the company’s urology, neurology and eye care business units. Previously, Mr. Card was a litigation associate with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP. Mr. Card earned a Bachelor of Science degree in behavioral science and health, with a minor in French, from the University of Utah.  He earned a J.D. degree from Brigham Young University.

Alana Darden Powell was named vice president of corporate communications for Urovant Sciences in October 2021. In this role, she is responsible for leading internal and external corporate communications and serves as a member of the Urovant executive leadership team. Ms. Darden Powell joined Urovant in May 2019 as executive director of marketing, transitioning to executive director of business unit operations, communications, and alliance management in September 2020.

Previously, she served as senior director for consumer marketing for Avanir Pharmaceuticals, where she was responsible for consumer marketing and brand public relations programs supporting the company’s neurology franchise. Prior to that, she spent over eleven years at Allergan Pharmaceuticals, supporting the BOTOX® Neurology and Urology franchise in roles spanning consumer and professional marketing, communications, and sales. Ms. Darden Powell began her career in Pharmaceuticals as a sales representative with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in women’s healthcare.

Ms. Darden Powell holds a B.S. from Auburn University and an MBA in marketing from Brandman University.

Betzy Estrada was named executive vice president and chief human resources officer in August 2021. In this role, Ms. Estrada leads Urovant’s human resources initiatives to bring to life the company’s philosophy that Urovant is “Powered by People and Possibilities.” Ms. Estrada joined Urovant after serving in human resources leadership roles in the biotechnology and medical device industries. Prior to joining Urovant, she was vice president, human resources, and chief compliance executive for Nihon Kohden, a leading manufacturer, developer and distributor of medical electronic equipment headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Earlier in her career, she held human resource leadership positions with Claremont University Consortium, Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson Advanced Sterilization Products, and Beckman Coulter, Inc. Ms. Estrada earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration, with emphasis in human resources, from the Marshall School of Business of the University of Southern California.

Laura Pala Genatossio was named senior vice president and general manager, Europe, in October 2021. In this role, she is responsible for building and leading the European business strategy and operations for Urovant Sciences GmbH and is based at the company’s European headquarters office in Basel, Switzerland.

Prior to joining Urovant, Ms. Genatossio served as vice president and general manager Europe, Middle East and Africa for Sarepta Therapeutics, where she was responsible for leading regional strategy and operations, including medical affairs, G&A, local commercial, market access and patient affairs. Prior to her move to Switzerland Ms. Genatossio built the global strategic marketing capabilities and team at Sarepta.

Previously, Ms. Genatossio held global strategic marketing roles with Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, and served as interim country manager for Aegerion in Canada. Earlier in her career, she held brand leadership roles for Astra Zeneca in Europe for the company’s oncology and cardiovascular portfolios.

Ms. Genatossio earned an MBA in Marketing, with honor, from the University of Massachusetts College of Management, and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Law, with honors, from Bologna University.

Rauly Gutierrez was named vice president of accounting for Urovant Sciences, Inc. in April 2021.  In this role, he is responsible for leading all accounting and finance functions of the company. Mr. Gutierrez joined Urovant in April 2018 as corporate controller helping establish and lead the accounting, financial reporting, and finance operations functions of the company in preparation for its initial public offering and subsequent SEC reporting requirements as a publicly traded company until the company’s merger with Sumitovant Biopharma Ltd. in March 2021. Additionally, he has served as a key member in establishing and developing the company’s internal control framework and financial policies and procedures.

Previously, Mr. Gutierrez served as vice president of finance and was the principal financial and accounting officer for Innovus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Prior to that, he spent over eleven years at KMJ Corbin & Company LLP, a regional public accounting firm, as a senior audit manager where he primarily serviced clients in the pharmaceutical and life science industries.

Mr. Gutierrez holds a B.S. in accounting from the Leventhal School of Accounting at the University of Southern California and is licensed as a certified public accountant in California.

Andrew Hetherington was named Executive Vice President, Chemistry Manufacturing and Control Development and Technical Operations (CMC/TO) at Urovant Sciences, having joined the company in January 2021. In this role, he is responsible for all aspects of CMC/TO activities to support the clinical and commercial programs for the innovative Biologics and Small Molecule portfolio at Urovant Sciences. Mr. Hetherington serves as a member of the Urovant Executive Leadership Team and the Research & Development Leadership Team. Mr. Hetherington has more than 30 years of development, manufacturing and supply chain operations leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. Prior to joining Urovant Sciences, Mr. Hetherington served as Senior Vice President of Technical Operations at Catalyst Biosciences. Earlier in his career, he also held senior CMC/TO positions at Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics, Bayer HealthCare, and GSK. Mr. Hetherington earned a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering and chemistry from Monash University in Australia and an MBA in finance, operations management, and general management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Walt Johnston was appointed Senior Vice President, Commercial, of Urovant Sciences in June 2020. In this role, Walt is responsible for marketing, sales, and commercial operations. Mr. Johnston is a 30-year veteran in the pharmaceutical industry, specializing in U.S. and global sales and marketing strategies with extensive experience delivering significant revenue growth. Prior to joining Urovant, Mr. Johnston spent 12 years at Astellas Pharma, most recently as Senior Vice President, Urology and Hospital Business Unit. Prior to this role, Mr. Johnston served as Vice President, Marketing and New Product Planning. Prior to Astellas, Mr. Johnston spent 18 years at Pfizer, where his roles included leading the cardiovascular marketing portfolio and National Sales Director, Vista Rx team. Previously, Mr. Johnston served on the board of the Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization (iBIO), including as Chair of the Board from 2018 to 2019. Mr. Johnston earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lafayette College and an MBA from Boston College, Carroll School of Management.

Dr. Sef Kurstjens was named chief medical officer for Urovant Sciences in April 2022. In this role, he is responsible for the Development, Medical Affairs, Regulatory and Pharmacovigilance functions and serves as a member of the Urovant executive leadership team. Dr. Kurstjens served on the Board of Directors of Urovant Sciences from July 2018 to April 2022. Dr. Kurstjens has more than 30 years of biotech and pharmaceutical drug development experience. Prior to joining Urovant Sciences, he served as chief executive officer for Bright Peak Therapeutics. Earlier in his career, Dr. Kurstjens also held positions as chief medical officer at Astellas Pharma, Inc., president and chief executive officer at Agensys, chief medical officer at Allergan, Inc., senior vice president of R&D at Astellas, and vice president of clinical development at Pfizer. Dr. Kurstjens is a native of South Africa and received his training in medicine and physiology at the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Mark Niemaszek was named senior vice president of corporate planning for Urovant Sciences in October 2021. Mr. Niemaszek joined Urovant in 2020, as vice president of commercial operations. In his new role, he is responsible for driving the execution of the company’s geographic expansion plan. In addition, he is responsible for the Urovant enterprise-wise strategic plan, including leadership of the company’s long-range planning and budget process, infrastructure investment planning, and program integration. 

Earlier in his career, he served as vice president of U.S. commercial operations for Astellas, where he led the development of enterprise capabilities for the Astellas Global business across a range of brands, sales teams and business units. Earlier in his career, he led the accounting department, as well as the sales, marketing and medical affairs operations for Fujisawa Pharmaceutical.

Mr. Niemaszek holds a Bachelor of Arts in finance/economics from St. Joseph’s College and an MBA in international business from Roosevelt/DePaul University.

Kenton Stewart was appointed as Senior Vice President, Market Access of Urovant Sciences in June 2020. In this role, he is responsible for all aspects of market access, including account management, market access marketing, reimbursement strategy, contracts and pricing, and market access alliance management. As a seasoned pharmaceutical executive with nearly 30 years’ experience at several leading global pharmaceutical companies, Mr. Stewart has extensive experience building commercial capabilities and leading successful product launches across multiple therapeutic franchises. Prior to joining Urovant, Mr. Stewart led the development and launch of the Health Systems Business Unit at Alkermes. Prior to Alkermes, Mr. Stewart served in various leadership roles at Astellas Pharma from 2006 to 2018, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Health Systems. Earlier in his career, Mr. Stewart led licensing and business development at TAP Pharmaceutical Products, with responsibilities for corporate business development, external commercial collaborations, and acquisitions. Previously, he served in various roles at Abbott Laboratories, including sales, sales management, product management and marketing management. Mr. Stewart earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, from Wichita State University. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Bellevue University.