David Meeker becomes chief executive of Genzyme, a Sanofi company, on 1 November. He will report to Christopher Viehbacher, chief executive of Sanofi, and will join the group management committee. Viehbacher retains the position of chairman at Genzyme.
‘After working closely with David over the past six months, I am confident that he is the best person to lead Genzyme,’ said Viehbacher. ‘His combination of medical and business experience will be essential to move Genzyme’s broad portfolio of products forward and deliver much-needed therapies to patients.’
Under Meeker’s leadership, Genzyme will incorporate the Rare Disease business and the Multiple Sclerosis franchise. Previous Genzyme divisions – Renal, Biosurgery and Oncology – have been integrated within the existing Sanofi portfolio.
Meeker joined Genzyme in 1994 as medical director to work on the Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy programme. Over the years he has held key positions of increasing responsibility as he led the development of treatments in the current rare disease portfolio. As president of the Global Rare Disease Business, he oversaw the global launches of Aldurazyme, Fabrazyme and Myozyme.
In 2009, he was promoted to chief operating officer of Genzyme and has played an important role in the integration since April of this year.
David Meeker to become ceo of Genzyme
Takes the role from 1 November