Mr Smither spent more than nine years at Amgen, where he advanced rapidly through financial management positions for business units and subsidiaries based in Europe and the US. During his term as chief financial officer of Amgen Europe, Smither directed financial planning, accounting, cost accounting, treasury, cash management and financial reporting under US GAAP in 25 European countries.
Keith Leonard, CEO of Kythera, said: “As Kythera moves to its next round of funding and prepares for access to public markets, we are fortunate to have someone of John’s caliber and financial prowess to lead the effort.”