Melissa Epperly

Melissa Epperly is a seasoned financial executive known for her role as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, where she served from December 2019 until her resignation in April 2024. She has over 18 years of experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors, bringing a unique blend of investment banking, equity research, and corporate finance expertise to her positions.

Career Highlights

• CFO at Zentalis Pharmaceuticals: Epperly played a crucial role in securing over $390 million in capital in 2020 to support the company’s oncology innovations. She was recognized as one of the "10 Best CFOs of 2020" by Industry Era for her contributions to the company and the life sciences industry.1
• Previous Positions: Before joining Zentalis, she held significant roles including CFO at R-Pharm US and PsiOxus Therapeutics, and worked as a research analyst at Goldman Sachs. Her background also includes consulting roles at Bain & Company and investment banking at Morgan Stanley.43
• Education: Epperly holds an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Economics from the University of Virginia and an MBA from Harvard Business School.43

Impact and Achievements

During her tenure, Melissa was instrumental in navigating Zentalis through challenging market conditions, including leading the first fully virtual IPO during the COVID-19 pandemic, which raised $190 million. Her leadership contributed to establishing a strong financial infrastructure that supported multiple clinical trials aimed at advancing cancer therapies.12

In addition to her role at Zentalis, she has served on various boards, including Nautilus Biotechnology and Roivant Sciences, showcasing her influence in the biotech field.3

Recent Developments

As of April 2024, Epperly stepped down from her position at Zentalis Pharmaceuticals. The company has since appointed interim leadership while searching for a permanent replacement.25