Viatris names industry vet Scott Smith as CEO

28 February 2023

US generic drug-focussed drugmaker Viatris (Nasdaq: VTRS) has announced that, as it prepares to enter Phase 2 of its previously revealed strategic plan in 2024, the appointment of pharma veteran Scott Smith to lead the execution of that plan as Viatris' new chief executive (CEO), effective April 1, 2023.

In the interim, current CEO Michael Goettler, who guided the company through a period of turbulence and change over the last several years, will be working closely with Mr Smith to support a smooth transition and will then depart as CEO and as a member of the board.

Mr Smith has been a member of the Viatris board since December 2022 and is a deeply knowledgeable senior global biotechnology and pharmaceutical executive with more than 35 years of experience. As a former president and chief operating officer at Celgene, now part of Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY), he rose up the ranks, including holding the roles of global head of Immunology, as well as president of Inflammation and Immunology.

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