Achieve Life Sciences adds two board members ahead of drug resubmission

Achieve Life Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: ACHV) appointed Jeffrey Farrow and Reid Waldman to its board of directors as the company prepares to resubmit its new drug application for cytisinicline, a smoking cessation treatment.

Farrow serves as chief financial officer and chief strategy officer at Tarsus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: TARS), where he has overseen the commercial launch of XDEMVY for Demodex blepharitis. He previously held CFO positions at three companies that were acquired for more than $9 billion combined, including Global Blood Therapeutics, which Pfizer acquired for approximately $5.4 billion in December 2022.

Waldman is founder and CEO of Veradermics Inc. (NYSE: MANE), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for pattern hair loss. Veradermics raised approximately $294.8 million in its initial public offering in February 2026 and an additional $472 million through a follow-on offering and private placement in May 2026.

Achieve is developing cytisinicline as a treatment for nicotine dependence. The company's new drug application for smoking cessation is supported by two completed Phase 3 studies and a long-term safety study. The company has also completed a Phase 2 study for nicotine e-cigarette cessation and received breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA for the vaping cessation indication.

The FDA has not approved any treatments specifically indicated for nicotine e-cigarette cessation. According to the press release, approximately 25 million adults in the United States smoke combustible cigarettes and nearly 18 million use e-cigarettes.

Cytisinicline is a plant-based alkaloid that binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The company believes it may help treat nicotine addiction by reducing craving symptoms and the satisfaction associated with nicotine products.

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