Biogen names Sanofi and GSK veteran Christopher Viehbacher as CEO

10 November 2022

After months of searching for a new leader, US biotech major Biogen (Nasdaq: BIIB) today announced the appointment of industry veteran Christopher Viehbacher as president and chief executive and a member of its board of directors, effective November 14.

Shares of Biogen, which have suffered since the controversial approval and lacklustre launch of the Alzheimer’s treatment Aduhelm (aducanumab), were up 2.4% at $289.00 in pre-market trading.

He succeeds Michel Vounatsos, who has led the company since 2017 and announced his planned departure in May. Mr Viehbacher will be paid a base salary of $1.6 million with more than $11 million in stock options.

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