AbbVie has made changes to its Executive Leadership Team as part of an effort to streamline its organizational structure and support its growth strategy. The following will report to AbbVie chairman and chief executive officer Richard A. Gonzalez.

Michael E. Severino, M.D., AbbVie’s executive vice president, R&D and chief scientific officer, has been named vice chairman and president.  In his role, Dr. Severino will be responsible for R&D, human resources, operations, and the corporate strategy office.

Laura J. Schumacher has been named vice chairman, External Affairs and chief legal officer.  Ms. Schumacher currently serves as executive vice president, External Affairs, general counsel and corporate secretary.  In her new role, Ms. Schumacher will be responsible for legal, ethics and compliance, corporate governance, corporate aviation and all externally facing functions including health economics outcomes research, government affairs, corporate responsibility, brand and communications.

Carlos Alban, currently executive vice president, Commercial Operations, has been named vice chairman, chief commercial officer.  Mr. Alban will be responsible for global commercial operations of the company, including the addition of Pharmacyclics commercial functions.

William J. Chase will continue in his role as executive vice president, Finance and Administration, responsible for all financial and administrative functions. 

“AbbVie has grown significantly since our founding six years ago, and now is the right time to evolve our senior executive leadership structure to match our talent and our operating model as well as support our long-term growth strategy,” said Mr. Gonzalez.  “We are fortunate to have a deep pool of senior leadership talent, and this streamlined structure will enhance our ability to execute against our long term strategies, provide additional scope for our senior leaders and facilitate our ability to meet our commitment to continuing to deliver value to all of our stakeholders, including patients, employees, shareholders and the communities we serve.”