Biogen names Michel Vounatsos new CEO

Biogen’s Board of Directors has appointed Michel Vounatsos as Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors, effective January 6, 2017. Vounatsos previously held the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Biogen.

Vounatsos will succeed George A. Scangos, Ph.D., who sit at the top of the company since 2010 and had previously announced that he would step down once a successor was found. Vounatsos joined Biogen in April 2016 after a 20 year career at Merck. While at Merck, he held leadership positions of increasing responsibility in Europe, China, and the U.S.

“Biogen is focused on creating shareholder value by advancing cutting-edge science to address some of the greatest challenges in medicine. In seeking our next chief executive, the board sought a leader with a record in building commercial operations and a passion for science,” said Chairman of the Biogen Board of Directors Stelios Papadopoulos, Ph.D. “It was clear to us through a rigorous search process that Michel is that leader who can guide Biogen in the next phase of its evolution.”

Vounatsos said: “It is an honor to be asked to lead this great company, one that has played such an important role in transforming the treatment of multiple sclerosis for patients globally. “I am excited to build upon Biogen’s legacy, as we pursue innovative new therapies for those suffering from serious neurologic and neurodegenerative diseases and create value for shareholders by maintaining a clear focus on what is best for patients.”

“Our near-term priorities are clear,” Vounatsos continued. “We intend to gain approval for Spinraza to provide the first treatment for spinal muscular atrophy; continue to grow our global MS franchise; fully enroll our phase 3 trials for aducanumab as we advance our lead candidate in Alzheimer’s disease; reinvigorate our pipeline in the areas of neurology and neuro-repair; and invest in our employees as we work together to define our future.”

Alex J. Denner, Ph.D., chairman of the CEO Search Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee of Biogen’s Board of Directors, said: “Michel is an outstanding leader who we believe is the best choice to create value for shareholders.”

“We believe that he will successfully execute on our current operations and optimize the allocation of the significant cash flows that we generate,” Denner has added.