Celltech announces appointment of new chief executive officer
Celltech Group plc today announced the appointment of Dr. Goran Ando (54) as CEO, with immediate effect. Dr. Ando served as President of R&D at Pharmacia Corporation until its acquisition by Pfizer, which completed on 15 April 2003. Dr. Ando's extensive business role as an Executive Vice President of Pharmacia incorporated responsibility for business development, including mergers and acquisitions, and for manufacturing. Dr. Ando's previous appointments included a period as R&D Director for Glaxo Group Research.
Dr. Ando succeeds Dr. Peter Fellner, who has been CEO of Celltech since 1990. Dr. Fellner will take up the position of Chairman with immediate effect, following the retirement of Mr. John Jackson.
Dr. Fellner commented, 'In appointing Dr. Ando as Celltech's new Chief Executive Officer, we have selected an individual who not only has an exceptional track record in drug discovery and development appropriate for a leading R&D based biotechnology company, but one who also has extensive business experience and capabilities to guide Celltech through its next phase of growth. We are delighted that someone of his stature will be taking up the leadership of Celltech.
Goran and I have worked closely together during the past two years, in the context of Celltech's landmark partnership with Pharmacia, and he brings to Celltech qualities which I believe will accelerate the Company's development as a global biotechnology leader'.
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