Anika Therapeutics Names Steve Griffin CEO as Company Focuses on Hyaluronic Acid Pipeline
Key Insights
Stephen Griffin, current CFO and COO, will become President and CEO of Anika Therapeutics (search) effective February 1, 2026, succeeding Cheryl Blanchard who transitions to Executive Chair.
Under Blanchard's six-year leadership, Anika repositioned itself as a focused leader in osteoarthritis (search) pain management and regenerative solutions, launching the Integrity Implant System (search) and achieving double-digit commercial growth.
The leadership transition comes as Anika works toward regulatory approvals for its hyaluronic acid portfolio, including pending PMA for Hyalofast and NDA for Cingal.
Anika Therapeutics (search) announced a leadership transition that positions the osteoarthritis (search) treatment specialist for its next growth phase, with current CFO and COO Stephen Griffin taking the helm as President and CEO effective February 1, 2026. The Bedford, Massachusetts-based company, which specializes in hyaluronic acid innovations for orthopedic applications, said Griffin will succeed Cheryl Blanchard, who will transition to Executive Chair of the Board of Directors.
Strategic Transformation Under Blanchard
During Blanchard's six-year tenure as CEO, Anika underwent significant strategic repositioning to become a focused leader in osteoarthritis (search) pain management and regenerative solutions. The company refocused its strategy around its hyaluronic acid portfolio, divesting non-core assets while strengthening operations through reinvestment and process improvements.
"It has been a tremendous privilege to serve as Anika's CEO for six years," said Blanchard. "I am proud of what our team has accomplished to restore active living for people globally as we refocused our strategy around Anika's hyaluronic acid portfolio in both OA pain management and regenerative solutions."
Key achievements under Blanchard's leadership included launching the Integrity Implant System (search) to treat tendon repairs, progressing the company's clinical pipeline, and driving double-digit growth in the commercial channel. The company has positioned itself in areas of unmet medical need within substantial, growing markets.
Griffin's Operational Excellence Background
Griffin brings extensive financial and operational leadership experience to his new role, having served as Anika's CFO since 2024 and COO since April 2025. At Anika, he has led the divestiture of assets as the company focused its strategy around hyaluronic acid and strengthened operations through reinvestment and process improvements.
Prior to joining Anika, Griffin served as Senior Vice President and CFO at VSE Corporation (search), where he helped execute the strategic transformation of a 60-year-old company through business development and organic growth initiatives. He spent more than a decade at General Electric (search) in positions of increasing responsibility, including Corporate Audit, Financial Planning and Analysis, and Divisional CFO roles across GE Healthcare, GE Aerospace, and GE Power.
"I am honored to be named Anika's next CEO," Griffin said. "Over the past two years, I have seen firsthand the strength of our team, the power of our technology, and the unique role Anika plays in improving patients' lives. We have positive momentum in the business, particularly in our Commercial Channel."
Regulatory Pipeline and Growth Focus
The leadership transition comes at a strategic inflection point as Anika works toward a new wave of regulatory approvals for its hyaluronic acid portfolio. The company has pending applications including a PMA for Hyalofast and an NDA for Cingal, representing significant growth opportunities in the osteoarthritis (search) treatment market.
Griffin emphasized his focus on accelerating growth, improving operational discipline and profitability, and directing resources where they matter most to deliver value for patients, employees, healthcare professionals, and shareholders. "We have the right building blocks in place, and now is the time to execute with urgency and purpose," he said.
Board Changes and Governance
As part of the transition, John Henneman III, who has served as a director since 2020, was appointed Lead Independent Director. The company also accepted the resignation of Susan Vogt, effective February 1, 2026, due to board size limitations.
"Steve's own background in finance and operations positions him as the right leader to drive Anika's long-term profitable growth," said Henneman on behalf of the Board. "Cheryl will remain on the Board as Executive Chair to support the transition, which will allow for Steve and his team and the Board to continue benefiting from her regulatory expertise and product development experience."
Anika reaffirmed its fiscal 2025 guidance in conjunction with the leadership announcement, maintaining the financial outlook previously confirmed in November 2025 with third quarter results. The company's hyaluronic acid portfolio includes established products such as Cingal, Hyalofast, Integrity, Monovisc (search), and Orthovisc (search) for osteoarthritis (search) pain management and orthopedic regenerative applications.