Several local branches of multinational pharmaceutical companies have appointed new CEOs to boost their competitiveness and enhance strategic sectors in the second half of this year.
Sanofi Pasteur, Galderma, Ono Pharma, MSD, Organon, and GSK are such companies. Galderma, Ono Pharma, and Organon have appointed Koreans at their top management positions.
Galderma Korea appointed Kim Youn-hee, former managing director of the medical solution division, as its new general manager in October.
Kim served as the marketing head of Merz Korea's aesthetic division and the marketing director of L'Oreal Korea's active cosmetics division. She also worked at MSD's headquarter office and its Korean offshoot. Kim became the managing director of Galderma Korea's medical solution division in 2019.
According to the company, Kim has won recognition for her competence and leadership in the skin and beauty fields and has contributed to the establishment of Galderma Korea as Korea's largest skin specialist.
Ono Pharma Korea elevated Vice President Choi Ho-jin to its CEO post in September.
Before joining Ono Pharma Korea as the general director of its sales marketing division in 2014, Choi also served at various Korean offshoots of multinational pharmaceutical companies, such as J&J, AstraZeneca, and Allergan.
New CEO Choi has contributed to the local launch and reimbursement of the firm's immunotherapy drug Opdivio, the company said.
Organon Korea, a spinoff of MSD, has appointed Kim So-eun, MSD's external affairs Lead, as its first CEO. Kim will start her new role next February.
Other multinational pharmaceutical companies appointed foreigners to run their Korean branch.
MSD Korea appointed Kevin Peters, the former CEO of MSD Thailand, to succeed Avi BenShoshan, who was recently transferred to the headquarters.
As the company’s management and labor union are at odds over the spinoff of Organon, industry executives keep a close eye on whether Peters can resolve the situation and complete the spinoff peacefully.
Sanofi Pasteur appointed Pascal Robin as its new CEO in August. Robin filled the CEO position after it was vacant for about two months following the Baptiste de Clarens, the former CEO, moved to headquarters in June.
In GSK Korea, Robert Kempton, former vice president and global commercial lead at GSK US' North Carolina division, will succeed Julien Samson, the first foreign national to run GSK Korea.
The exact date for his taking office has yet to be decided.