Agios Executive and Leadership Team

June, 2026

Leadership Overview

Agios has 4 executives leading key functions including finance, legal, human resources, and medical strategy.

Driven by a commitment to innovation, Agios focuses on discovering and developing transformative medicines for patients with rare genetic diseases, leveraging deep expertise in cellular metabolism to address unmet medical needs and improve global health outcomes.

Leadership Roles at Agios

  • Chief Financial Officer - Cecilia Jones
  • Chief Legal Officer - James Burns
  • Chief People Officer - Ellen Lopresti
  • Chief Medical Officer & Executive Vice President - Sarah Gheuens
  • Cecilia Jones - Chief Financial Officer

    Cecilia Jones, the Chief Financial Officer at Agios, directs all financial operations and strategic fiscal planning. Overseeing budgeting, forecasting, and capital allocation, Jones ensures robust financial health to support the company's drug discovery and development pipeline. This leadership role involves managing investor relations and securing funding necessary for advancing novel therapeutics like PYRUKYND and pipeline candidates targeting rare blood disorders. By optimizing financial resources, Cecilia Jones directly contributes to the company's long-term sustainability and its capacity to bring life-changing treatments to market. The Chief Financial Officer's oversight extends to financial compliance and risk management, safeguarding the company's assets and ensuring adherence to regulatory standards across its global operations. Jones's strategic financial guidance is critical for Agios's mission to transform patient lives through metabolic science.
    James Burns, the Chief Legal Officer at Agios, oversees all legal affairs and corporate governance. This critical role involves managing intellectual property, regulatory compliance, and litigation strategy, ensuring the company operates within legal frameworks across its global endeavors. Burns's expertise is vital for protecting Agios's innovative drug pipeline, including its lead product PYRUKYND and compounds like AG-946 and AG-181. The Chief Legal Officer advises the executive team and the Board of Directors on legal implications of business decisions, risk mitigation, and strategic partnerships. By navigating complex legal landscapes, James Burns safeguards the company's interests and facilitates its expansion into new therapeutic areas and markets. This leadership position demands a deep understanding of biopharmaceutical regulations and a proactive approach to legal challenges, ensuring Agios maintains its integrity and operational continuity.

    Ellen Lopresti - Chief People Officer

    Ellen Lopresti, the Chief People Officer at Agios, leads all human resources functions and talent management strategies. This executive position focuses on cultivating a high-performance culture that supports innovation in drug discovery and development, particularly in the field of cellular metabolism. Lopresti oversees talent acquisition, employee development, compensation, and benefits, ensuring Agios attracts and retains top scientific and operational talent. The Chief People Officer plays a key part in fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment essential for advancing complex research projects, such as those involving PYRUKYND and pipeline candidates for rare diseases. By championing employee engagement and organizational effectiveness, Ellen Lopresti directly impacts the company's ability to achieve its mission of delivering transformative medicines. This role is fundamental to building a resilient and motivated workforce capable of overcoming scientific and business challenges.

    Sarah Gheuens - Chief Medical Officer & Executive Vice President

    Sarah Gheuens, the Chief Medical Officer & Executive Vice President at Agios, directs clinical development and medical affairs. This pivotal role guides the strategy for advancing Agios's therapeutic candidates, including the approved product PYRUKYND and pipeline assets like AG-946 and AG-181, through rigorous clinical trials. Gheuens oversees the design and execution of studies aimed at demonstrating the safety and efficacy of novel treatments for hemolytic anemias, myelodysplastic syndrome, and phenylketonuria. The Chief Medical Officer & Executive Vice President collaborates closely with research, regulatory, and commercial teams to ensure alignment between scientific innovation and patient needs. By leading clinical strategy, Sarah Gheuens is instrumental in translating Agios's deep understanding of cellular metabolism into tangible medical solutions for patients with rare genetic disorders. This leadership ensures the company's drug development efforts meet the highest scientific and ethical standards.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Agios Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Agios?
    Agios is led by Cecilia Jones (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as James Burns (Chief Legal Officer) and Ellen Lopresti (Chief People Officer).
    Who is part of Agios’s executive team?
    The executive team of Agios includes leaders such as Cecilia Jones (Chief Financial Officer), James Burns (Chief Legal Officer), Ellen Lopresti (Chief People Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Agios have?
    Agios has 4 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Agios’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Agios includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Legal Officer, Chief People Officer, Chief Medical Officer & Executive Vice President.