Benjamin Halladay Will Become Achieve Life Sciences CFO

The Seattle-based firm will install Benjamin Halladay as its new chief financial officer on October 5, 2026.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Corporate Finance

Benjamin Halladay Will Become Achieve Life Sciences CFO

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Achieve Life Sciences will appoint Benjamin Halladay as its new chief financial officer effective October 5, 2026. Halladay succeeds Mark Oki, who managed the company through its recent Phase 3 clinical trial program and NDA submission.

Why it matters

This leadership transition comes as the company shifts its primary focus toward the potential commercialization of cytisinicline. The firm is preparing to bring its smoking cessation treatment to the U.S. market, where millions of adults continue to struggle with tobacco and e-cigarette use.

Halladay brings 15 years of financial management experience to the company. His previous tenure at Esperion Therapeutics included managing financial operations during a period where the company recorded $400 million in annual revenue.

The players

Benjamin Halladay

He is a Certified Public Accountant who previously served as the Chief Financial Officer at Esperion Therapeutics.

Mark Oki

He served as the Chief Financial Officer at Achieve Life Sciences throughout the company's Phase 3 program.

Achieve Life Sciences

This pharmaceutical company is based in Seattle and Vancouver and focuses on developing cytisinicline for smoking cessation.

The details

Halladay, a Certified Public Accountant, will assume oversight of Achieve's financial strategy, accounting, investor relations, and information technology. He joins the firm after serving as the CFO at Esperion Therapeutics, which was recently sold to ARCHIMED at a 58% premium to its closing share price.

Benjamin Halladay began his tenure at Esperion Therapeutics in November 2022.
Esperion Therapeutics share price closed on April 30, 2026.
Benjamin Halladay ended his tenure at Esperion Therapeutics in July 2026.
Benjamin Halladay assumes the CFO role at Achieve on October 5, 2026.

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Market Dynamics

The leadership change follows the $1.1 billion sale of Esperion to ARCHIMED, marking a transition from a research-focused phase to a commercial-readiness phase. This move highlights a broader trend of biotech firms hiring CFOs with M&A experience to navigate the high-stakes transition toward drug commercialization.

Investors and stakeholders should monitor how the new financial leadership impacts the company's capital allocation as it nears potential commercialization. The change may influence future investor relations strategies and the company's approach to securing the resources necessary for a nationwide product launch.

The takeaway

Achieve Life Sciences is strengthening its executive team with seasoned financial talent as it pivots to the rigorous demands of product commercialization. Shareholders can expect a focus on fiscal discipline as the firm prepares to enter a competitive market for cessation treatments.