Emil D. Kakkis, M.D., Ph.D., is the co-founder and CEO of Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., a company dedicated to developing treatments for rare diseases. Dr. Kakkis has a strong medical background with an M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of California,...

Emil D. Kakkis, M.D., Ph.D., is the co-founder and CEO of Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., a company dedicated to developing treatments for rare diseases. Dr. Kakkis has a strong medical background with an M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of California, San Francisco. Before starting Ultragenyx in 2010, he held several key roles at BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., including Chief Medical Officer. Under his leadership, Ultragenyx has made significant strides in clinical research, achieving high corporate performance scores that led to substantial bonuses based on their success. This focus on results is not just for show; it aligns the interests of the company with those of its shareholders. Interestingly, short on vested stock in recent years, Kakkis has opted for performance stock units and options which showcase a belief in the long-term vision of the company. Besides his work at Ultragenyx, he founded the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases, demonstrating his commitment to this field. His journey reflects a deep understanding of both medicine and the pharmaceutical industry, making him a recognizable figure in biotech.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical CEOs

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Emil D. Kakkis, M.D., Ph.D.

Founder and Ex-CEO of Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical

Education

M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of California, San Francisco

Field of Expertise

Healthcare & Life Sciences - Medicine

Sector of Economy

Healthcare

Born

July 1, 1968 - 56 years ago

CEO of Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical for

8 years 11 months (Oct 2014 - Sep 2023)

Previous Experience

Founder and CEO of Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Emil D. Kakkis, M.D., Ph.D.

Holdings

See how much did Emil D. Kakkis, M.D., Ph.D. make over time.

Emil D. Kakkis has significant holdings in Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, focusing more on performance stock units and options rather than traditional stock grants. In 2023, he was awarded 138,700 performance stock units (PSUs), highlighting his investment in the company's future success....

Emil D. Kakkis has significant holdings in Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, focusing more on performance stock units and options rather than traditional stock grants. In 2023, he was awarded 138,700 performance stock units (PSUs), highlighting his investment in the company's future success. Over the years, Kakkis had various financial fluctuations in his holdings; for example, his holdings peaked during the company’s growth years, especially concerning a notable vesting of stock in 2022 which was valued around $1.95 million. Currently, his distribution remains aligned with executive compensation practices that encourage long-term value creation for shareholders. His approach reflects a strategy where more than 90% of his wealth is tied to the performance of Ultragenyx, indicating his belief in the company’s mission and operations.

Total Stock Sold

$41.85M

RARE

$41.85M

540,325 RARE shares

What if they kept their stock?

If Emil D. Kakkis, M.D., Ph.D. didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra RARE540,325 shares worth $34.11M.
This is -18.51% and $7.75M less than what they got when they sold the stock.

Charitable Transactions

RARE

277,291 shares

RARE

Recent Charitable Transactions

RARE

50,000 shares

RARE

Dec 31, 2021

Charity

RARE

181,670 shares

RARE

Dec 31, 2020

Charity

RARE

27,500 shares

RARE

Dec 31, 2016

Charity

RARE

18,121 shares

RARE

Dec 31, 2015

Charity

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Emil D. Kakkis, M.D., Ph.D..

RARE

$1.12M

RARE at $55.85/share

Sep 3, 2024

Sale

RARE

$1.00M

RARE at $50.17/share

Aug 6, 2024

Sale

RARE

41,560 shares

RARE

Mar 1, 2024

Received

RARE

$1.35M

RARE at $45.00/share

Feb 7, 2024

Sale

RARE

$1.44M

RARE at $47.87/share

Dec 29, 2023

Sale

RARE

$1.60M

RARE at $33.52/share

Oct 19, 2023

Sale

RARE

54,916 shares

RARE

Mar 1, 2023

Received

RARE

$892.35K

RARE at $45.57/share

Dec 30, 2022

Sale

RARE

52,041 shares

RARE

Mar 1, 2022

Received

RARE

50,000 shares

RARE

Dec 31, 2021

Charity

Compensation History

See how much did Emil D. Kakkis, M.D., Ph.D. make over time.

In 2023, Dr. Kakkis earned a total compensation of $1,300,345, which includes a salary of $823,692. Bonus pay for the fiscal year was substantial, sitting at $622,700, reflecting a corporate performance achievement score of 94%. There were no vested stocks reported for 2023, emphasizing a focus on stock options and performance-based compensation. This strategy aligns with Ultragenyx's overall goal to incentivize dedication to the company's mission of providing treatments for patients with rare diseases. His compensation philosophy is designed to attract top talent while ensuring that executives strive to enhance stockholder value through shared goals. This model underscores a sustainable approach to compensation in a competitive biotech arena.

Year

2023

Total Compensation

$2.07M

Salary

$823.69K

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy aims to attract and retain a highly-skilled team of executives, aligning their interests with those of stockholders by rewarding performance that increases stockholder value.

Bonus

$622.70K

Board Justification

The bonus for fiscal 2023 was based solely on corporate performance, with a total achievement score of 94% resulting in a bonus of 75% of base salary.

Other

$622.66K

Board Justification

This includes 401(k) matching contributions and other benefits.

Restricted Stock

$0.00(0 RSU)

Board Justification

No stock grants were vested in 2023; only stock options and RSUs are reported, which are not included in total compensation calculations.

Performance Metrics

The performance metrics for 2023 included corporate goals related to revenue growth, clinical trial enrollment, and operational efficiency, with an overall achievement score of 94%.

Other Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical

Howard Horn

CEO of Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical

October 2023 - Present