Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADIL) (“Adial” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments for serious inflammatory diseases, today announced that Celia Economides, the Company’s current Executive Vice President of Finance, is expected to be appointed Chief Financial Officer effective promptly after the Company’s reconvened 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, if certain of the proposals being presented to stockholders are approved. Ms. Economides will succeed Vinay Shah.
“Celia has raised capital in strong and challenging markets, built finance and investor relations functions from the ground up, and knows the autoimmune space well from her work at Aurinia and Kezar,” said Matt Davidson, Ph.D., Adial’s Chief Development Officer, who is expected to be appointed President and Chief Executive Officer at the same time as Ms. Economides’ appointment. “We believe that combination is exactly what we need as we rapidly advance AT177 toward the clinic and build the organization for its next stage of growth.”
Chief Financial Officer Appointment
Ms. Economides brings more than two decades of experience in biotech finance, corporate development and capital markets. Over her career, she has helped execute more than $1 billion in equity financings, non-dilutive financings, and other strategic transactions. She joined Adial as Executive Vice President of Finance in August 2026.
Prior to joining Adial, Ms. Economides served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer of CellCentric, a clinical-stage oncology company. Prior to that, she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Gritstone bio, Inc. and later as interim Chief Executive Officer. Earlier in her career, she held senior roles at Kezar Life Sciences and Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, where she contributed to the development of small molecule drugs for autoimmune diseases. Ms. Economides also previously served as a director of global medical affairs at BioMarin Pharmaceutical, led investor relations at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), and worked at a healthcare-focused hedge fund and in biotech-focused financial services. Ms. Economides holds a B.A. from McGill University and an M.P.H. in Health Policy and Management from Columbia University.
“I am excited to step into the Chief Financial Officer role during this important moment for the company,” said Ms. Economides. “AT177’s targeted approach to AhR activation has the potential to address significant unmet needs for patients with ulcerative colitis, and I look forward to working with the team to support its continued development.”
As previously disclosed, if the conversion of the Company’s Series A preferred stock, together with other related required Company stockholder matters, are each approved by stockholders and the Company’s Initial Listing Application is approved by Nasdaq, Adial expects to change its name to Azora Therapeutics, Inc., and its common stock is expected to begin trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “AZR” promptly after such approvals are obtained.
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