CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acceleron Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: XLRN), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapeutics to treat serious and rare diseases, today announced that Steven Ertel, due to medical reasons, will transition from his role as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer to become a special advisor to the Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Ertel was recently diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

“Through Steve’s contributions over the past 11 years, Acceleron has grown from a small, private, discovery-stage start-up to a public company with multiple therapeutic candidates in clinical trials, the most advanced of which is now being studied in two ongoing Phase 3 trials,” said Habib Dable, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acceleron. "He was the main architect behind our partnerships with Celgene. Steve has made immense contributions to our company, and we wish Steve and his family all the best for his health."

Steve joined Acceleron in January 2006. During that time, he has led business development, commercial strategy, program management, corporate communications, manufacturing and quality functions. Steve has spent over 25 years in the biotechnology industry at Acceleron, Biogen Idec, Genentech, Synta, and Vivus.

About Acceleron

Acceleron is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapeutics to treat serious and rare diseases. Its pioneering research platform leverages the powerful biology behind the body’s ability to rebuild and repair its own cells and tissues. This approach to drug discovery has generated four therapeutic candidates that are currently in clinical trials. The Company’s lead therapeutic candidate, luspatercept, is being evaluated in Phase 3 studies for the treatment of the hematologic diseases myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and beta-thalassemia under a global partnership with Celgene Corp. Acceleron is also advancing clinical programs in the fields of oncology and neuromuscular diseases and has a comprehensive preclinical research effort targeting fibrotic and other serious diseases.