John Smither Rejoins Arcutis as Interim CFO

Arcutis Biotherapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company focused on pioneering advancements in immuno-dermatology at an early commercial stage, has announced the appointment of John W. Smither as interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective August 31. John previously held the role of Arcutis’ inaugural CFO from 2019 to 2021. He will be taking over from Scott Burrows, who is departing from the company.

“We are delighted that John has agreed to step in as interim CFO. He brings an incredible depth and breadth of both financial acumen and dermatology experience from his 25+-year career in the pharmaceutical industry, culminating in five successive CFO roles, including his previous stint at Arcutis,” stated Frank Watanabe, President and Chief Executive Officer of Arcutis. He also expressed gratitude towards Scott Burrows for his instrumental contributions to Arcutis’ financial development and support in establishing and expanding commercial operations across the United States and Canada.

John Smither remarked, “I am excited to rejoin the Arcutis team as interim CFO and continue the Company’s success delivering new innovations for serious skin diseases,” added John Smither. “With the first topical phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor approved for plaque psoriasis and the potential approval of roflumilast foam for seborrheic dermatitis anticipated later this year, the Company is well positioned to further its leadership in medical dermatology.”

John initially served as Arcutis’ inaugural CFO and played a pivotal role in the successful IPO in 2020, along with establishing the finance function from its foundation. Prior to his time at Arcutis, Mr. Smither held the CFO position at Sienna Biopharmaceuticals between January 2016 and March 2017 and again from March 2018 to April 2019. He took on the role of interim CFO at Kite Pharma from October 2017 to April 2018 during its merger with Gilead. Moreover, he was the CFO at Unity Biotechnology from January 2016 to 2017. Previously, he held the CFO position at Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. from November 2007 until its acquisition by Allergan in October 2015 for $2.1 billion. Throughout his various CFO roles, Mr. Smither oversaw numerous private and public financing rounds, including Kythera’s initial public offering, as well as initial IPO preparations at Unity and Sienna.

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