WeightWatchers rises after naming new medical chief

Shares of telehealth firm WeightWatchers, also known as WW International WW.O, rise 8% to $43.21 premarket

WeightWatchers names Dr. Kim Boyd as its chief medical officer; the post lay vacant for nearly a year

Reuters exclusively reported the appointment earlier on Tuesday

WW also plans for a new program to help women manage the transition into menopause and beyond, part of its growth strategy in emerging from bankruptcy

WeightWatchers will provide hormone replacement therapies later this year

Company says its model promoting balanced eating and exercise helps subscribers reduce gastrointestinal side effects from weight loss medicines and lose more weight on Wegovy

As of last close, stock up 48.14% since it emerged from bankruptcy effective June 27