John Smither
Former Chief Financial Officer, Arcutis
John W. Smither joined eFFECTOR’s board of directors in March 2018. Mr. Smither most recently served as the chief financial officer of Arcutis Biotherapeuctic, Inc. from May 2019 to March 2021 responsible for all financial aspects including leading the Company’s successful IPO and two follow-on financings. Previously John was the chief financial officer at Sienna Biopharmaceutics in January 2016 to April 2017, and again in April 2018 to March 2019. He also served as the interim chief financial officer at Kite Pharma, a Gilead Company from November 2017 through April 2018, and was the chief financial officer of Unity Biotechnology. He also served as chief financial officer at Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, where he was responsible for all financial activities during early clinical stage through approval and launch, led private fundraising rounds, prepared the company for its successful initial public offering in October 2012, and oversaw its acquisition by Allergan for approximately $2.1 billion. At Amgen, he held several financial positions of increasing responsibility, including vice president of finance and administration for Amgen’s European operations in 28 countries, and having served most recently as Executive Director, Corporate Accounting. From December 2013 to May 2020, Mr. Smither served as a member of the board of directors of Achaogen, Inc., and was its chair of the audit committee, and a member of the compensation committee. Mr. Smither began his career at Ernst & Young where he was audit partner and held certification as a Certified Public Accountant (inactive). He holds a B.S. in accounting, with honors, from California State University at Los Angeles.