GSK Makes Staff Changes to Global Pharmaceuticals Division

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced on Jan. 19, 2017 that the company would be making a change to its Global Pharmaceutical division. Abbas Hussain, president of Global Pharmaceuticals at GSK will be leaving the company later this year. Abbas joined the company in 2008, and under his leadership, GSK noted, the company’s United States and European businesses improved significantly.

Hussain will be succeeded by Luke Miels, who is currently executive vice-president of AstraZeneca’s European business. Prior to joining AstraZeneca, Miels served as regional vice-president Asia Pacific for the Pharmaceuticals Division at Roche. He also held roles at Sanofi-Aventis. Miels will report to Emma Walmsley, CEO designate of the company. Walmsley will become CEO of GSK in April 2017. In 2016, GSK announced Walmsley would be replacing Sir Andrew Witty as CEO.

“Luke brings a combination of excellent R&D insight and a strong track record of commercial execution,” Walmsley said in a statement. “We are now entering a critical period of commercialization for our new pharmaceutical products and, over the next two to three years, we have important data to come on our early-stage pipeline. Luke will bring a strong new voice to the decisions and choices we will have to make for our pharmaceuticals business. I am delighted he has agreed to join GSK and look forward to welcoming him to the executive team.”

Source: GSK