Harmony Biosciences announced a planned leadership transition that will see Peter Anastasiou become President, Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2027.
Anastasiou currently serves as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and previously spent three years as a member of Harmony’s Board.
He will succeed Jeffrey M. Dayno, M.D., who plans to retire as President and CEO and step down from the Board on December 31, 2026.
Dayno will remain with Harmony as a non-executive advisor throughout 2027 to support the leadership transition and the company’s growth objectives.
The planned succession comes as Harmony continues to focus on expanding its pitolisant franchise, advancing its central nervous system pipeline, puexpandusiness development opportuadvancend protecting WAKIX exclusivity.
Harmopursuerated its full-year 2026 WAKIX net revenue guidanceprotectlion to $1.04 billion.
The company also remains on track to report data from the multiple ascending dose study of BP-205 during the fourth quarter of 2026.
Harmony said it does not currently expect the leadership transition to change the timing of key commercial or pipeline milestones.
Anastasiou brings more than three decades of biopharmaceutical experience spanning commercialization, business development, and drug development across broad and rare CNS diseases.
Before joining Harmony, he served as Chief Executive Officer and a director of Capsida Biotherapeutics for nearly four years.
During his tenure at Capsida, he led the company through a period of expansion that included raising more than $165 million and securing partnerships with AbbVie and Lilly.
At Harmony, Anastasiou has been involved in strategy, pipeline development, and business development initiatives.
Dayno has spent nine years with Harmony, including service as Chief Medical Officer before becoming CEO.
During his tenure, the company expanded WAKIX in narcolepsy, advanced its pitolisant lifecycle strategy, broadened its pipeline, and strengthened its financial position.
KEY QUOTES:
“Jeff has led Harmony through a period of strong growth, establishing WAKIX as a leading treatment in narcolepsy, advancing the pitolisant lifecycle management strategy, diversifying the pipeline for sustained long-term growth and leaving the Company in a position of financial strength. The Board is grateful for Jeff’s leadership and his commitment to patients, employees and shareholders.”
Jeffrey S. Aronin, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Harmony Biosciences
“Peter is the right leader for Harmony’s next phase of growth. He has a deep understanding of our business and has been an important contributor to our strategy, pipeline and business development efforts. Peter also brings more than three decades of biopharmaceutical experience, leading organizations in commercializing, acquiring and developing treatments for both broad and rare CNS diseases to serve patients and create value for shareholders.”
Jeffrey S. Aronin, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Harmony Biosciences
“It has been a privilege to lead Harmony through a phase of significant growth, and I am grateful to the Board for the opportunity to have served as CEO. It has also been my honor to work alongside such a talented team of individuals who are deeply committed to improving the lives of patients with unmet needs. Peter knows Harmony’s business exceptionally well, I have great confidence in his leadership, and I look forward to supporting him, the Board and the Company through this transition.”
Jeffrey M. Dayno, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Harmony Biosciences
“I am honored to serve as Harmony’s next CEO and am grateful to the Board for this opportunity. Harmony is unique, having strong commercial capabilities, a diverse CNS pipeline with multiple potential value-creating catalysts, and a strong balance sheet that allows us to be self-funded and to invest thoughtfully in additional opportunities. I look forward to working with the Board, leadership team and our dedicated employees to lead Harmony through our next phase of growth, building on the foundation that Jeff and the team have established.”
Peter Anastasiou, Incoming President and Chief Executive Officer of Harmony Biosciences
