Moderna and Lonza Announce Worldwide Collaboration to Manufacture vaccine against COVID-19
May 6, 2020
Evolution Insight: Pfizer and BioNtech: a lightspeed deal for potential Covid Vaccine.
June 5, 2020
Lonza board announced today [June 5th, 2020] former executive of Roche 'PierreAlain Ruffieux' named as CEO, emphasising a more intense focus on pharmaceuticals. Effective from November 1st, 2020
As Lonza aim to focus their business on their fastgrowing pharmaceuticals sector, they have, today, completed their quest to hire a drug industry expert.
Pierre-Alain Ruffieux, a PhD Biotechnologist, has been with Roche for 5 years;Head of Global Pharma Technical Operations as well as Head of Quality. Previously, he held Quality and Operations leadership roles at Novartis, with more than 20 years of experience in biopharmaceuticals.
The strategic plan was to attract a CEO with greater than 20 years of pharma experience, extended to bioprocesses and bioproducts, to direct Lonza’s long-term tactical focus on Pharma and Biotech.
The new CEO is well placed to allow Lonza to continue their accelerated growth trajectory, focusing on the provision of healthcare development and manufacturing solutions. The CDMO industry is experiencing a time of radical change and disruption, driven by the rate of scientific and technological advancement in the industry. This presents many opportunities for Lonza, evidenced by their recent vaccine deals and their depth of end-to-end solutions, which can help create a path to commercialization - saving time, and addressing manufacturing complexity.
Lonza will continue to capture and build customer relationships and establish a leading reputation for quality, reliability and consistent delivery.
Albert Baehny, Chairman of the Board said:
“The Board is delighted to have appointed someone of PierreAlain’s calibre to be our next CEO. He brings deep knowledge of our industry, scientific excellence, customer focus and a strong record of building and leading high-performing and inclusive teams. Manufacturing and process excellence are central to Lonza and our customers’ success. Pierre-Alain has unrivalled experience in these areas in two of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies which will also be a great asset to the Lonza Group.”
Pierre-Alain Ruffieux, incoming Chief Executive Officer added:
“I am delighted to have been appointed as CEO of Lonza. Having been a customer over many years, I greatly admire Lonza’s technology and people. I look forward to building on its many successes in the years to come.”
