Akebia names Butler president, CEO

Anemia company Akebia Therapeutics Inc. (Cincinnati, Ohio) hired John Butler as president and CEO, effective Sept. 16. He was CEO of hematology company Inspiration Biopharmaceuticals Inc. (Cambridge, Mass.) and president of the cardiometabolic and renal division at Genzyme Corp., which Sanofi (Euronext:SAN; NYSE:SNY) acquired in 2011. Butler will succeed Joseph Gardner, who will remain an advisor to Akebia and will continue as CEO of Aerpio Therapeutics Inc. (Cincinnati, Ohio.). ...