Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that Keli Walbert will join the Apellis Board of Directors, effective immediately. Ms. Walbert, 58, brings more than two decades of biopharmaceutical commercial leadership experience to the Board. Ms. Walbert most recently served as executive vice president, U.S. commercial, at Horizon Therapeutics, where she was responsible for driving commercial strategy and organizational development for more than 10 marketed brands across nephrology, ophthalmology, and rare disease, among other therapeutic areas.

Prior to this position, Ms. Walbert held numerous roles of increasing responsibility at Horizon, including leading the launch of the blockbuster medicine TEPEZZA for thyroid eye disease. Before joining Horizon, Ms. Walbert held leadership roles at AbbVie, American Medical Association, Abbott, and United Healthcare. Ms. Walbert has received numerous awards and recognitions including the Luminary Award from the Healthcare Businesswomen?s Association and the MM+M Women of Distinction Award.

She received a master?s degree from Northwestern University and a bachelor of the arts degree from University of Louisville. Ms. Walbert?s appointment expands the Board to seven directors, six of whom are independent.