Johnson & Johnson Names New Head Of Pharma Biz
2 CommentsBy Ed Silverman // October 10th, 2008 // 6:03 am
Sheri McCoy has no experience in pharmaceuticals, though, which should be interesting, given that the J&J unit is struggling. Trained as a chemical engineer, she was formerly head of J&J’s Ethicon unit and last January was named chair of the surgical group and a member of the executive committee. McCoy, 49, was promoted following the recent announcement that Christine Poon will soon retire (back story).
The exec tapped to fill her existing job is Alex Gorsky, who returned to J&J earlier this year after a stint running the Novartis pharmaceuticals business in the US (back story). Here is the statement from J&J ceo Bill Weldon.
Separately, J&J reorganized its corporate communications team, following the retirement of Nancy Walker, J&J’s former vp of global pharmaceutical communications, according to Medical Marketing & Media. Under the new organization, six vp’s will report to Ray Jordan, vp of public affairs and corporate communication.
joke
J&J has a long history to put business people without science backgroun into the leadership positions. Current CEO is just a perfect example. He was a sales rep long time ago, now he sits on the top of the hill to oversee the whole company. The newly appointed pharmaceuticals head is a questionable staff. Without and pharma experience, how could she oversee such a big organization especially at the critical moment. The sector is ailing at an unprecedented rate. With the expiration of several top selling drugs, the revenue from this sector will shrink dramatically. To make up big hole is not going to be an easy task. Poon has tried for a couple years without any success. Now it is her turn. What kinds of strategy is she going to bring to J&J? I doubt she will have the silver bullet. Whoever sits on this hot seat will be tested in such harsh business environment. Can she turn this business around? I don’t think so. Why is she appointed to such important position? There is no obvious reason. I am sure there are a large of talent pool from whcih Weldon can choose the right candidate. For sure, she is going to lots of change to this orginazation. Changing all the VPs and put all previous subordinats to important positions etc. Another thing might be to focus the protein therapeutics instead of small molecules. This could ba a diseaster to the R&D for thie area. All of them could be laid off all of a sudden. Hope not. Otherwise there will be more people to apply for the unemployment benefits and the unemployment rate will increas slightly with the next half ot this year.
William Weldon
i disagree