Mesoblast appoints new CFO to strengthen commercial transition

Mesoblast Limited has appointed James M. O'Brien as its new US-based chief financial officer, effective November 17, 2025. This appointment is strategic to the company's transition into a fully integrated commercial entity. O'Brien brings extensive financial management and planning experience from multi-national public and private life sciences, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical companies.

O'Brien's background includes global responsibility for corporate and business unit finance at Actavis plc, which later became part of AbbVie Inc. During his tenure, he developed world-class financial budgeting and forecasting processes and managed activities for transactions totaling nearly $10 billion, contributing to proforma revenues exceeding $8 billion for Actavis. He also held CFO roles at Cognition Therapeutics, Inc., overseeing a successful initial public offering, and Faron Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.

Mesoblast chief executive Dr. Silviu Itescu stated that O'Brien's cross-functional financial expertise and knowledge of US markets will provide essential leadership as Mesoblast commercializes Ryoncil® and expands its label, complementing existing finance functions for robust controls, revenue forecasting, financing, and capital allocation.