Agios Executive and Leadership Team

May, 2026

Leadership Overview

Agios has 5 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, people operations, legal affairs, and medical affairs.

Driven by innovation in cellular metabolism, Agios is dedicated to discovering and developing transformative medicines for patients with rare genetic diseases, focusing on addressing unmet medical needs through scientific rigor and a patient-centric approach.

Leadership Roles at Agios

  • Chief Executive officer & Board of Directors Member - Brian Goff
  • Chief Financial Officer - Cecilia Jones
  • Chief People Officer - Ellen Lopresti
  • Chief Legal Officer - James Burns
  • Chief Medical Officer & Executive Vice President - Sarah Gheuens
  • Brian Goff - Chief Executive officer & Board of Directors Member

    Brian Goff, the Chief Executive officer & Board of Directors Member at Agios, directs the company's overall strategic vision and operational execution. Goff guides the organization's efforts in discovering and developing innovative medicines, particularly in the field of cellular metabolism. This leadership role involves steering the advancement of key product candidates like PYRUKYND, AG-946, and AG-181 through clinical development and towards market availability. Overseeing all business functions, Goff ensures alignment with the company's mission to address critical unmet medical needs in rare genetic diseases. By fostering a culture of scientific excellence and patient focus, Brian Goff drives Agios's commitment to transforming patient outcomes and solidifying its market position in biopharmaceuticals.
    Brian Goff

    Cecilia Jones - Chief Financial Officer

    Cecilia Jones, the Chief Financial Officer at Agios, manages the company's financial strategy and operations. Jones oversees all aspects of financial planning, budgeting, and reporting, ensuring fiscal responsibility and supporting the company's growth initiatives. This critical role involves managing capital allocation for research and development, particularly for pipeline assets like PYRUKYND and AG-946. Jones also directs investor relations, communicating the company's financial performance and strategic direction to stakeholders. By optimizing financial resources, Cecilia Jones enables Agios to advance its mission of developing life-changing therapies for patients with hemolytic anemias and other metabolic disorders. The Chief Financial Officer's oversight extends to risk management and ensuring compliance with financial regulations, thereby safeguarding the company's long-term stability and operational integrity.

    Ellen Lopresti - Chief People Officer

    Ellen Lopresti, the Chief People Officer at Agios, leads the human capital strategy and organizational development initiatives. Lopresti is responsible for cultivating a high-performance culture that supports Agios's mission of discovering and developing innovative medicines. This role encompasses talent acquisition, employee engagement, and leadership development, ensuring the company attracts and retains top scientific and operational talent. By fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment, Ellen Lopresti empowers the teams working on critical programs such as PYRUKYND and AG-181. The Chief People Officer also oversees compensation and benefits, aligning employee rewards with company performance and strategic objectives. Through strategic people management, Lopresti drives organizational effectiveness and supports the company's commitment to advancing therapies for rare genetic diseases.
    James Burns, the Chief Legal Officer at Agios, provides strategic legal counsel and oversees all legal affairs for the company. Burns directs the company's legal framework, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements in the biopharmaceutical sector, particularly concerning drug development and commercialization. This leadership position involves managing intellectual property portfolios, guiding corporate governance, and overseeing litigation. James Burns plays a crucial role in structuring agreements for partnerships and collaborations, supporting the advancement of pipeline candidates like AG-946 and AG-181. The Chief Legal Officer's expertise is vital in navigating the complex legal landscape associated with bringing novel therapies for conditions such as phenylketonuria and myelodysplastic syndrome to market. Burns ensures that Agios operates with the highest ethical standards and legal integrity.

    Sarah Gheuens - Chief Medical Officer & Executive Vice President

    Sarah Gheuens, the Chief Medical Officer & Executive Vice President at Agios, spearheads the company's clinical development strategy and execution. Gheuens directs the design and implementation of clinical trials for Agios's therapeutic candidates, including PYRUKYND for hemolytic anemias and AG-946 for myelodysplastic syndrome. This pivotal role involves translating scientific insights into robust clinical programs that demonstrate the safety and efficacy of novel metabolic therapies. Gheuens collaborates closely with research and development teams to advance the pipeline, including preclinical work on siRNA for polycythemia vera. The Chief Medical Officer & Executive Vice President ensures that all clinical activities align with regulatory standards and the company's overarching mission to serve patients with rare genetic disorders. Sarah Gheuens's leadership is instrumental in driving the clinical success of Agios's innovative medicines.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Agios Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Agios?
    Agios is led by Brian Goff (Chief Executive officer & Board of Directors Member), along with executives such as Cecilia Jones (Chief Financial Officer) and Ellen Lopresti (Chief People Officer).
    Who is part of Agios’s executive team?
    The executive team of Agios includes leaders such as Brian Goff (Chief Executive officer & Board of Directors Member), Cecilia Jones (Chief Financial Officer), Ellen Lopresti (Chief People Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Agios have?
    Agios has 5 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Agios’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Agios includes roles such as Chief Executive officer & Board of Directors Member, Chief Financial Officer, Chief People Officer, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Medical Officer & Executive Vice President.