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Generics Bulletin reports on some of the most noteworthy and important appointments affecting the global generics and biosimilar industries.

A flurry of top level recruitments made headlines in the past weeks, with the likes of Hikma, Lupin, and Viatris announcing new hires while focusing on their targets for the year.

Lupin has appointed a pair of executives to handle technical operations and information technology. At the same time, Mallinckrodt has promoted its head of brands to the firm’s executive committee and Australia’s GBMA association has made major changes to its board.

Sandoz has appointed a new CFO as it embarks on its first full year as an independent company. Meanwhile, Alvotech has named a new head of quality and Euroapi has selected a fresh CEO.

Canada’s CGPA has named Ray Shelley, president of Apotex Canada, as the off-patent industry association’s chair. At the same time, Sandoz Canada president and general manager Michel Robidoux has been elected vice-chair.

Sandoz nominated a new director candidate ahead of its annual meeting and Lantheus welcomed a familiar face as the new CEO. Meanwhile, Mallinckrodt strengthened its board with four new directors and Hikma announced another appointment this year.

Cipla refers to the transformational potential of GLP-1s in India, a market with 100m-plus diabetics and rising obesity, amid plans for oral semaglutide and speculation on partnering possibilities. A recalibration in the firm’s specialty products thrust is also seen. 

UK liquids specialist Rosemont Pharmaceuticals has appointed a new chief corporate development officer to drive M&A. Meanwhile, EuroAPI has named a chief transformation officer, Zentiva’s CEO has joined Medicines for Europe’s executive committee, Hikma has changed company secretary, and Xbrane has made alterations to its nominations committee.

Inaugural IGBA secretary general Suzette Kox has stepped down from the role after five years, passing leadership of the organization to Susana Almeida. At the same time, Medicines for Europe director general Adrian van den Hoven has taken up the position of IGBA chair for 2024.

Executive changes at both Viatris and Teva in 2023 saw the companies shift their focus towards the innovator industry. Plus, trade groups saw some significant personnel shakeups, Alvotech expressed hope that new hires would help to resolve manufacturing approval issues, Biocon made changes to its management structure, and more.

Shortly after departing from her role as Teva’s COO for US generics and biosimilars, Christine Baeder has been named as president of Apotex in the US. Meanwhile, Coherus Biosciences has announced a CFO transition and Amgen has made executive appointments to “accelerate innovation”.

Viatris CEO Scott Smith is to work alongside an exec from not one but two of his former employers, after Philippe Martin was appointed to head up R&D at the firm and drive its ambitions in the novel space.

Before leaving her role as Teva’s US generics COO, Christine Baeder discussed paying for quality, generic confidence, redundancy and predicting shortages.

Lupin CEO Vinita Gupta will next year take over from Sandoz chief executive Richard Saynor as chair of the IGBA’s CEO advisory committee, representing the voice of the global off-patent industry. At the same time, Insud CEO Lucas Sigman will take over from Gupta as vice-chair.

Off-patent industry association Medicines for Ireland has announced a new leadership team amid negotiations on a new local pricing agreement. Meanwhile, UK body the BGMA has named a new vice-chair. And active pharmaceutical ingredients firm EuroAPI has made two additions to its executive committee following the recent departure of its CEO.

At Medicines for Europe’s fifth annual value added medicines conference, the association announced that Pharmanovia CEO James Burt would take over as chair of its value added medicines sector group from Viatris executive Arun Narayan.