Spruce Biosciences appoints two VPs to commercial leadership team

Spruce Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ: SPRB) appointed Brian Walls as Vice President, Market Access and Darren Johnson as Vice President, Commercial Operations, according to a company statement.

Walls brings over 20 years of biopharmaceutical experience and has contributed to more than 18 product launches across rare diseases, oncology, neurology and metabolic disorders. He previously served as Vice President, Market Access at Applied Therapeutics Inc., which was acquired by Cycle Pharmaceuticals, where he developed the U.S. commercialization access platform for ultra-rare neurology assets.

Johnson brings nearly two decades of biopharmaceutical commercial leadership experience in market planning, analytics and operations. He most recently served as Vice President, Commercial Operations & Analytics at Applied Therapeutics Inc., where he built the company's commercial data ecosystem, sales operations, and pricing and targeting strategy.

The appointments come as Spruce prepares for a potential commercial launch of tralesinidase alfa enzyme replacement therapy for the treatment of Sanfilippo Syndrome Type B next year. The South San Francisco-based company focuses on developing therapies for neurological disorders.

In connection with their employment, both executives will receive restricted stock units for 3,500 shares of Spruce's common stock, contingent upon filing an effective inducement plan registration statement on Form S-8. The awards will vest in equal annual installments over four years, subject to continued service with the company.

The Compensation Committee of Spruce's Board of Directors approved the awards as inducement material to the new employees' employment in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

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