Bayer loses Ebsworth

Published: 9-Feb-2002


David Ebsworth, general manager of Bayer's pharmaceutical business group, has left the company 'by mutual agreement', according to a statement by Bayer AG, although reports suggest he resigned unexpectedly.

The company has appointed Dr Wolfgang Plischke as the new general manager. He will be responsible for the global pharma business in prescription drugs, and will also undertake the strategic planning and future orientation of the business group.

Plischke previously headed up Bayer's pharma business in North America. He admitted last year that Bayer's drug division was 'second tier', but said it was a leader in certain therapeutic areas.

The news comes as the German firm is trying to regain stability after the withdrawal of its leading cholesterol-lowering drug Baycol/Lipobay and production problems with Kogenate, its haemophilia drug. It recently voted to restructure the organisation into a management holding company with independent operating units aimed at cutting costs and saving €1.8bn US$1.6bn) by 2005.

The timing of Ebsworth's departure casts a shadow on Bayer's already postponed listing on the New York Stock Exchange, which was expected to take place by the end of January. It also increases pressure on the company for a successful launch of Vardenafil, Bayer's impotence drug to rival Viagra.

In another development, there are reports linking Bayer with Franco-German company Aventis in a joint venture in the US$5.8bn (€6.5bn) global market for plasma and recombinant blood products.

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