Roche promotes diagnostics head Schinecker to CEO

SWISS drugmaker Roche has appointed Thomas Schinecker as its new group chief executive.

The appointment caps a rapid rise for Schinecker. He joined Roche’s management development programme in 2003, and was previously head of its diagnostics division.

He will replace Severin Schwan, whom the company has nominated to be its next chairman. It said in July that current chairman Christoph Franz would not be seeking reelection.

The changes will be made effective after Roche’s annual general meeting on Mar 14, 2023, marking an end to Schwan’s 14-year tenure.

The company also announced on Monday (Dec 12) that Bill Anderson, chief executive of its pharmaceuticals division, will be leaving the company on Dec 31. Schinecker will replace Anderson on a temporary basis, after handing his diagnostics portfolio to Matt Sause.

Schwan said that the moves would not shift the strategic weight of Roche’s diagnostics and the pharmaceuticals businesses. REUTERS