Merck KGaA Announces Further Management Changes to Drive Pharmaceutical Business Growth
• Stefan Oschmann to focus on role as Head of Pharmaceuticals in charge of the biopharmaceutical divison, Consumer Health, Allergopharma and Biosimilars
• Belén Garijo appointed new President and CEO of the biopharmaceutical division
• Additional management changes at the biopharmaceutical division include appointment of Annalisa Jenkins as Head of Global Research & Development and Thierry Hulot as Head of Global Manufacturing and Supply
Darmstadt, Germany, September 26 , 2013 - Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, today announced multiple management and organizational changes in its pharmaceutical businesses to maximize growth opportunities going forward. Belén Garijo, currently Chief Operating Officer at the biopharmaceutical division of Merck KGaA, has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the biopharmaceutical division, effective October 1. She will succeed Stefan Oschmann, who as Member of the Executive Board and Head of Pharmaceuticals at Merck, will focus on further developing the biopharmaceutical and Consumer Health divisions as well as the Allergopharma and Biosimilars units. All four entities will report to Stefan Oschmann.
"Following our transformational journey over the past two years, we have reached a critical juncture with accelerated profit growth at our biopharmaceutical division and a successful refocusing of our Consumer Health division," Executive Board Member Stefan Oschmann said. "I'm absolutely convinced that with today's management and organizational changes we will be able to fully leverage the growth potential in our pharmaceutical businesses by focusing on fast-growing areas such as the emerging markets and the global allergy market or the rapidly evolving biosimilars market. At our biopharmaceutical division, we are proud to have in Belén Garijo one of the most successful leading women in our industry, who – with her broad leadership experience spanning medical, strategic, and commercial roles – will be able to take Merck's largest division to the next level."
As part of the organizational changes at the biopharmaceutical division, the company also appointed Dr. Annalisa Jenkins, MBBS, MRCP, currently Head of Global Development and Medical, as Head of Global Research & Development, effective October 1. Under her leadership, the biopharmaceutical division aims to further integrate the two fields as a number of compounds in the division's pipeline are reaching late-phase development. Following the appointment of Jim Stewart as Chief Information Officer of the Merck Group at the end of last month, Thierry Hulot, Head of the Biosimilars unit, has been named to succeed Jim Stewart as Head of Global Manufacturing & Supply as of October 1. Hulot will continue to lead the Biosimilars unit on an interim basis until a replacement has been announced. All global functions within the biopharmaceutical division – including R&D, Manufacturing & Supply, Operations and Business Development – will report to Garijo.
Reflecting the rising importance of Allergopharma and Biosimilars, the two units will report directly to Oschmann. Following the acquisition of the remaining interest in Allergopharma in December 2012, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, aims to further tap into the global allergy market with a very competitive product range. With its investments in the evolving biosimilars market, the company expects to benefit from rising demand for biotechnology solutions to address unmet medical and access needs in many parts of the world.
Generating total revenues of € 6.4 billion in 2012, the biopharmaceutical division is the largest division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Overall, the pharmaceutical businesses of Merck KGaA accounted for around 60% of total revenues and 58% of EBITDA pre one-time items last year.