Enanta CEO Jay Luly to retire in 2027, Tara Kieffer named COO

Enanta Pharmaceuticals disclosed on October 28, 2026 that Jay R. Luly, Ph.D., age 70, plans to retire from his post as President and Chief Executive Officer by February 1, 2027, following 23 years of leadership with the Company.¹ After stepping down, the company expects to enter into an agreement with Dr. Luly for his continued service as a strategic advisor for the remainder of 2027.¹

The Board of Directors has initiated a comprehensive search for Dr. Luly's successor, considering both internal and external candidates.¹ The company said the search aims to find a leader who can continue building on Enanta's position and steer its pipeline forward, according to the release.

Separately, the Board named Tara L. Kieffer, Ph.D., age 48, to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer, effective October 28, 2026. Kieffer spent 16 years advancing through roles at Vertex Pharmaceuticals in research, clinical development, program management and business development before joining Enanta in 2020, most recently serving as the Company's Chief Product Strategy Officer.¹ Her biographical details were previously disclosed in the Company's definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on January 26, 2026, under the section "Executive Officers."¹ The filing states Dr. Kieffer has not entered into any material plan, contract, arrangement or amendment in connection with this appointment,¹ and notes she has no disclosable family relationships or related-party interests under SEC rules.

Chairman Bruce L. A. Carter credited Luly's tenure, saying he provided exceptional leadership and made numerous important contributions, notably in helping bring forward cures for HCV infection, as well as potential treatments for RSV and immunologic diseases.¹