Faerm, 59, joins the company following a tenure as a consulting CFO for various biopharmaceutical firms through his own practice, MEF Consulting. His appointment comes as AtaiBeckley continues to navigate the capital-intensive requirements of clinical-stage drug development.

Compensation and Transition Details

Under the terms of his employment, Michael Faerm will receive an annual base salary of $525,000. Additionally, he is eligible for an annual performance-based bonus with a target set at 40% of his base pay, according to the company’s announcement on Thursday.

The leadership change also involves an internal reshuffling of the finance department. Anne Johnson, who has served as CFO since 2024, will transition to the role of chief accounting officer. This move allows the firm to retain institutional knowledge while leveraging Faerm’s external consulting expertise to oversee broader fiscal strategy and investor relations.