Voyager Therapeutics names Robin Swartz president, sets up CEO transition
Voyager's board elevated Swartz to president effective October 20, 2026, with plans for her to become CEO after early safety data from a VY1706 Alzheimer's trial arrive.
Voyager Therapeutics disclosed in an 8-K filing that its board of directors appointed Robin Swartz, the company's chief business officer and chief operating officer, to serve as president effective immediately on October 20, 2026.1
The filing states that Swartz is also expected to succeed Alfred W. Sandrock, Jr., M.D., Ph.D. as chief executive officer following the anticipated receipt, in the first quarter of 2027, of initial acute safety data from the company's clinical trial of VY1706 in adults with early Alzheimer's disease.1 Sandrock is expected to remain on the board following Swartz's anticipated succession.1
According to the filing, Swartz, age 56, has held the roles of chief operating officer and chief business officer since November 2024, and has also served as principal financial officer and treasurer since May 2026.1 She previously served as the company's chief operating officer from February 2022 to November 2024, as principal financial officer and principal accounting officer from April 2024 to July 2024, and in earlier senior vice president roles dating back to January 2021.1 Before Voyager, she held positions of increasing responsibility beginning in 1995 at Genzyme Corporation and Sanofi Genzyme, including senior vice president roles in rare disease patient services and global business operations.1
Under an amended and restated employment agreement tied to the appointment, Swartz is entitled to an annualized base salary of $625,000 and is eligible for an annual cash bonus targeted at 50% of her base salary.1 The board also approved a grant, effective November 1, 2026, of a stock option for 318,500 shares and a restricted stock unit award for 68,250 shares.1 The option vests monthly over four years starting on the effective date, while the restricted stock units vest in three annual installments.1
The agreement also outlines severance terms, including 12 months of base salary continuation, a pro rata bonus, and up to 12 months of COBRA premium payments if Swartz is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason.1
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