Posted: 05/30/2025 07:29 am
Veru Inc., a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of innovative treatments for oncology and viral-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome, has undergone significant transformations alongside fluctuations in its executive compensation. The company’s strategic moves and research advancements are reflected in its executive pay structure, drawing attention from industry analysts and investors alike.
In 2024, Mitchell S. Steiner, Chairman, President, and CEO of Veru Inc., received a total compensation package of $1,977,203. His salary was marked at $804,049, bolstered by a substantial option award of $516,774 and incentive plan compensation of $656,380. Despite this, Steiner’s compensation package saw a significant decline from 2022, when his total earnings amounted to $6,096,281. At that time, stock options formed a major component of his compensation, totaling $4,576,284. The reduction in stock options and absence of a bonus in 2024 were notable components of this decrease^1^.
A key player in Veru’s financial landscape, Michele Greco, the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, amassed total earnings of $2,254,795 in 2022. Her compensation was heavily skewed towards an option award of $1,572,438. By contrast, in 2020, her package was significantly lower at $549,002, hinting at an evolving role within the company that aligns with Veru's strategic shifts^2^.
Beyond executive compensation, Veru's corporate actions have drawn considerable attention. Notably, the sale of its FC2 Female Condom business for $18 million in December 2024 signals a strategic focus on its pharmaceutical pursuits. This divestment allows Veru to concentrate resources and efforts on its promising pipeline, including its enobosarm program, which has shown positive results in combination with semaglutide for weight loss and muscle preservation^3^.
Recent headlines further illuminate Veru's strategic pivot and research initiatives. In 2025, Veru reported compelling Phase 2b clinical trial results of their enobosarm compound, demonstrating enhanced fat loss and muscle preservation when combined with semaglutide, compared to semaglutide alone. This study positions Veru favorably within the booming GLP-1 drug landscape, reinforcing its potential to carve a niche in preventing lean mass reduction^4^. Additionally, Veru's lean financial position, with $20 million in cash and zero debt, alongside a recent drop in stock price, places it in a strategic stance to leverage imminent industry catalysts^5^.
While Veru’s market position reflects inherent challenges typical of biopharmaceutical ventures, its executive compensation trends and strategic corporate decisions underline a focused approach to positioning the company as a key player in clinical-stage pharmaceutical development.
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^1^ Compensation data for Mitchell S. Steiner and Michele Greco: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/863894/000114036125002147/0001140361-25-002147-index.htm, https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/863894/000114036124003976/0001140361-24-003976-index.htm
^2^ Compensation data for Michele Greco and K. Gary Barnette 2020: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/863894/000114036122003069/0001140361-22-003069-index.htm
^3^ Press release on FC2 sale: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/12/31/3077343/0/en/Veru-Inc-NASDAQ-VERU-ANNOUNCES-THE-SALE-OF-THE-FC2-FEMALE-CONDOM.html
^4^ News on Phase 2b trial results: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/05/28/3089273/0/en/Veru-Reports-Positive-Safety-Results-from-Phase-2b-QUALITY-Study.html
^5^ News on strategic focus and financial positioning: https://seekingalpha.com/article/4789937-veru-stock-saving-muscle-mass-amidst-the-glp-1-drug-boom
