AstraZeneca’s planned $39 billion acquisition of New Haven-born Alexion Pharmaceuticals has prompted a C-Suite shakeup, with Alexion to get a new CEO.
Marc Dunoyer, AstraZeneca’s chief financial officer for more than seven years, will be taking over as Alexion’s CEO, replacing Alexion’s current CEO Ludwig Hantson following the merger.
An announcement didn’t elaborate on Hantson’s future role. Kim Blomley, director of global media relations for AstraZeneca, declined to comment on Hantson.
In his new role, Dunoyer will work to boost Alexion’s commercial growth and share Alexion’s expertise across AstraZeneca. The hope is that the combined knowledge and technology of both companies will result in advances in medical treatments.
Marc Dunoyer
In addition to serving as Alexion’s CEO, Dunoyer will serve as chief strategy officer for AstraZeneca. He will continue to report to AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot.
Soriot said of Dunoyer, “I’m looking forward to working with him in his new role as CEO, Alexion, the Rare Disease Unit of AstraZeneca, and to his continued strategic input to AstraZeneca’s success.”
Meanwhile, Aradhana Sarin, who is currently executive vice president, chief financial officer at Alexion, will replace Dunoyer as AstraZeneca’s CFO.
Sarin joined Alexion in 2017, and her background includes roles in the banking and financial industry with Citi Global Banking, UBS and J.P. Morgan. Prior to her banking career, she trained as a medical doctor in India, and practiced both there and in Africa.
Sarin will move to the United Kingdom and report directly to Soriot.
Hantson took over Alexion during a management shakeup in 2017 following an internal probe into the company’s sales practices. He moved Alexion’s headquarters from New Haven to Boston shortly afterward.
The C-Suite changes will go into effect around Aug. 1, or once the merger is finalized. The planned merger is still subject to remaining regulatory approvals, though it is expected to close in the third quarter of 2021.
After the merger, Alexion will continue to be based in Boston, the companies have said. AstraZeneca has previously indicated that it expects to have a “continued presence” at Alexion’s New Haven site, where it employs more than 500 people.
Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.