Minerva Neurosciences, Inc. announced a leadership transition with the appointment of Jim O?Connor as Chief Business Officer (CBO) and General Counsel, effective April 21, 2026, as Geoff Race, the Company?s President, has elected to leave the company, effective March 31, 2026. Mr. Race will continue to be involved with Minerva as a consultant. Mr. Race joined Minerva in 2010 and went on to serve in multiple executive roles including Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Chief Business Officer, and most recently President.
Over his 16 years with the Company, he played a central role in establishing Minerva?s operational, financial, and clinical development foundation. Mr. O?Connor brings more than 20 years of legal and business leadership across life sciences, technology, and renewable energy. He most recently served at Axena Health (formerly Renovia) in progressive roles including General Counsel & Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel & Chief Financial Officer, and Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO), where he led legal, IP, compliance, finance, regulatory, and strategic transactions.
His experience includes: negotiating over $130 million in equity and debt financings; a commercial distribution agreement with Exact Sciences that included a $10 million investment; overseeing FDA 510(k) clearance and label expansions for a second-generation device; and achieving FDA Breakthrough Device Designation via a successful appeal. Earlier in his career he spent 12 years with United Technologies Corporation in roles including Vice President & Deputy General Counsel at Carrier and Chief of Staff to the President & CEO of UTC Building & Industrial Systems. He began his career as a corporate associate at Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault. Mr. O?Connor earned his J.D., cum laude, from Cornell Law School and a B.A., summa cum laude, in Economics from Boston College.
