GSK directorate change, top US executive to leave

Source: Healthcare Digital

Date :09/09/2008 09:33:43

Chris Viehbacher, Executive Director and President North American Pharmaceuticals, is to leave GlaxoSmithKline plc, the world's second largest drugmaker, effective December 1.

Viehbacher (pictured) will stand down from the board of the British-based drugmaker with immediate effect, GSK said on Monday, September 8. He is to pursue another, unspecified, opportunity.

Viehbacher was one of two unsuccessful candidates who lost out to Andrew Witty in the race to lead GSK following the retirement of outgoing CEO Jean-Pierre Garnier in May.

The other was David Stout, who has already left the company.

GSK had agreed to pay Viehbacher a retention package worth around £2.5 million to stay, payable in two tranches in 2009 and 2011. This will not now be paid, a company spokesman said.

Two senior vice presidents within the US business, Stan Hull and David Pernock, will take over day-to-day operations for pharmaceuticals and vaccines in North America on an interim basis. Both men will report directly to Witty.