EVP named at new Oncology Strategic Business unit of Bayer

Effective February 1, 2017, Robert LaCaze will become executive vice president of the new Oncology Strategic Business unit at the Pharmaceuticals Division of German pharma major Bayer (BAYN: DE).

This new unit will enable the company to strategically manage and deliver upon its growing oncology portfolio including Nexavar (sorafenib), Xofigo (radium Ra 223 dichloride) and Stivarga (regorafenib), as well as its early and late stage development candidates with a focused and integrated approach in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving environment.

The unit will combine Experimental Medicine Oncology, Clinical Pharmacology Oncology, early and late Project Management Oncology, Oncology Strategic Regulatory Affairs and Clinical Development Oncology. In addition the unit will include Oncology Strategic Marketing, Oncology Access and Pricing, Medical Affairs for Oncology globally, early oncology commercialization and certain operational functions. The new unit’s operating model will especially support accelerated development of new therapeutic options for  patients to fight cancer.

Mr LaCaze is currently senior VP, head of the Global Oncology Therapeutic Area within the Pharmaceuticals Division at Bayer. In his new role, he will be a member of the Pharmaceuticals Division’s executive committee which is led by Dieter Weinand, a Bayer AG board member and responsible for Pharmaceuticals.

"We are delighted to have an executive with Robert LaCaze’s experience and talent lead the Oncology Strategic Business unit," said Dieter Weinand, adding: "I am confident that he will contribute his expertise and foresight to help strengthen our efforts in the fight against cancer."

Prior to joining Bayer in 2015, Mr LaCaze was at Bristol-Myers Squibb where he held the position as SVP, head of product and portfolio strategy in Princeton, New Jersey, USA. He has more than 27 years of experience in various executive roles in the pharmaceutical industry. The majority of his career has been spent in oncology with a focus on global strategy, operations, global strategic product launches including small molecules, biologics, and immuno-oncology.