Who's on First Base? Big Pharma Continues to Mix it Up in the C-Suite in 2014

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Reported by Annette Kreuger, Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--In the not-so-distant past, executives at the top three pharmaceutical-biotech companies tended to stick around for years, sometimes stretching out into decades. Now, along with all the other changes of an industry reinventing itself, the "C-Suite" and its occupants are fair game.

Some, like former Novartis (NYSE:NVS) Oncology Chief Herve Hoppenot, became CEO of an entire company. Heading up Novartis' cancer division since 2010, which claimed $11 billion in global sales, Hoppenot should feel right at home with his new job running Incyte (NASDAQ:INCY), a long-term development partner of Novartis. Incyte has contributed to the release of new drugs over the past two years, including Jakavi, a myelofibrosis treatment.

Generic giant Teva lost its CEO Jeremy Levin last fall, as the company undergoes its own transformation by slashing expenses in hopes of bolstering profits. The Israeli company has tapped Erez Vigodman, a virtual newcomer to the world of drugs. Looking outside the industry "box" of potential hires, Teva turned to the former head of an agrochemical company, who also had held the top spot at the food company Strauss Group.

Biotech biggie Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) has said farewell to its CFO Jonathan Peacock. Offering little more in the way of explanation for Peacock's resignation other than the non-specific "...left to pursue broader career opportunities," the company has assigned Michael Kelly an interim post as CFO.

As 2013 ended, Pfizer Incorporated (NYSE:PFE) had a dustup that left many scratching their heads. If anybody knows why Amy Schulman said "buh-bye" in December to a major role in the company, nobody is talking, at least not publicly. Tapped by CEO Ian Read to head up Pfizer's vaccine division amidst much glowing press in July 2013, Schulman was considered one of the top women within the industry.

Scheduled to take over her new job this month, the move was considered a key component of Pfizer's evolution into three distinct business units: vaccines, oncology and consumer healthcare. With the company five years before departing, Schulman served as Pfizer general counsel and executive team member. The company wished in a non-descript statement that she do "...well in her future endeavors."

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