Akin is currently CEO of Aera Therapeutics, where he is focused on harnessing next-generation delivery technologies and precision payloads to develop transformative genetic medicines. Prior to joining Area, he spent nearly two decades at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals in various R&D and commercial roles, including as Senior Vice President and Head of Oncology, General Manager of the Givlaari® program, and General Manager of the fitusiran program (now marketed as QfitliaTM by Sanofi). He has experience leading programs at all stages—from discovery through late-stage development and launch. Prior to his therapeutic program leadership roles, Akin served in roles of increasing responsibility and leadership in the research organization at Alnylam. He co-led interdisciplinary efforts focused on the delivery of RNAi therapeutics and the development of RNAi platform technology, notably on lipid nanoparticles, which resulted in Onpattro®, the world’s first approved RNAi therapeutic. Akin received a BSE in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.