Jenoptik appoints Dr. Dominic Dorfner as future CEO

Jenoptik’s Supervisory Board has appointed Dr. Dominic Dorfner as future CEO. He is expected to take office no later than 1 October 2026.

Stefan Betzold to leave Bauer Media Group

Stefan Betzold is leaving Bauer Media Group. The Managing Director of Bauer Xcel Media will support the transition of responsibilities.

Christopher Kirsch appointed chair of Pro Biosimilars

Dr. Christopher Kirsch (Sandoz/Hexal) has been appointed chair of Pro Biosimilars. Dominic Fister (STADAPHARM) will serve as deputy chair.

Sanacorp appoints Manuel Kuhn to Board role for Trade

Sanacorp names Manuel Kuhn as Board member for Trade from 1 July 2026. He succeeds Frank Hennings and will oversee sales, purchasing and mea.

Medicos Kosmetik sets up Transformation Office for Dermasence

Medicos Kosmetik has launched a Transformation Office for Dermasence. Christian Mies-Mäkelä has led the new unit since March 2026.

BioNTech co-founders to launch new next-gen mRNA company

BioNTech says co-founders Ugur Sahin and Özlem Türeci plan a new independent next-gen mRNA company. Management transition is expected by end of 2026.

Ipsen nominates Peter Guenter to Board of Directors

Ipsen has appointed Peter Guenter to its Board of Directors effective 28 January 2026. He fills the vacancy created by Henri Beaufour’s seat.

Novo Nordisk employees elect new board representatives

Novo Nordisk employees have elected new representatives to the Board of Directors. The new term starts after the AGM on 26 March 2026.

Essity appoints Niklas Westin Sundberg as Chief Digital & Information Officer

Essity names Niklas Westin Sundberg as CDIO, succeeding Carl-Magnus Månsson. He joins the Executive Management Team on April 15, 2026.

Bavarian Nordic: Paul Chaplin to step down as CEO

Bavarian Nordic says CEO Paul Chaplin will step down for personal reasons. He will stay through 2026 or until a successor is appointed.

medac appoints Dr. Christoph Willers as Chief Scientific Officer

The medac Group appoints Dr. Christoph Willers as CSO. He will lead research, clinical development and studies, plus pipeline and portfolio management.

SynAct Pharma appoints Ann Kristin Led as CFO

SynAct Pharma has named Ann Kristin Led as CFO, effective 1 March 2026. The finance executive brings experience across life sciences, pharma and med-tech.

Xspray Pharma appoints Blake Leitch as CEO, Per Andersson to become CSO

Xspray Pharma has appointed Blake Leitch as CEO, with the start date no later than June 1, 2026. Current CEO Per Andersson will become CSO.

Fresenius extends CEO Michael Sen’s contract to 2031, appoints Pawlu to the Management Board

Fresenius extends CEO Michael Sen’s contract early, taking it through 2031. Helios executive Christian Pawlu will join the Management Board on July 1, 2026.

Roche appoints Mark Dawson to lead pRED

Roche names Mark Dawson as Head of Pharma Research and Early Development from 1 May 2026 and adds him to the Enlarged Corporate Executive Committee.

L’Oréal appoints Julia Huhn to lead communications across DACH

Julia Huhn has led Communication & Public Affairs at L’Oréal DACH since 15 February. She succeeds Stefan Geister and joins from Santander.

Linda Maria Diodati appointed Managing Director at Thieme Media

Linda Maria Diodati became Managing Director of Thieme Media on 1 February 2026. She succeeds Oliver Fock, who moved into a staff role.

Biogen names Dr. Maria C. Freire as next board chair

Biogen will shift its board leadership: Dr. Maria C. Freire is set to become chair after the June 9, 2026 annual meeting.

Sanofi appoints Belén Garijo as new CEO

Sanofi has appointed Belén Garijo as CEO. Paul Hudson will leave on Feb. 17, 2026, with Olivier Charmeil serving as interim leader.

Engelhard strengthens strategic development with new CCSO role

Engelhard has created a Transformation Office and appointed Ann-Katrin Frank as Chief Commercial Strategy Officer to steer strategic development.