Mr Gemayel joins Altus Pharmaceuticals from Genzyme where he was executive vice president and a company officer. David Pendergast, who was serving as executive chairman, will continue as chairman of the Altus board.
Mr Gemayel completed his doctorate in pharmacy at St Joseph University in Beirut and earned a PhD in pharmacology at Paris-Sud University.
Pendergast, chairman of board of directors at Altus, said: “Throughout his tenures at Genzyme and Roche, Georges has demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision as well as the ability to deliver results by driving programs through clinical and operational challenges.”