Axplora, a partner to pharma and biotech companies for complex APIs, appointed Stephan Haitz president of the Novasep CDMO Business Unit and member of the company’s executive committee, effective November 1, 2023. Haitz will take over from Jean Bléhaut, who leaves the company after a career spanning more than 25 years.

Haitz has a 20-plus years’ business career in the pharmaceutical industry where he held various management positions within global CDMOs such as Solvias, Lonza and Cambrex. Most recently, Stephan worked as president drug substance CDMO commercial at Cambrex.

“I’d like to warmly thank Jean for many years of service at Novasep and wish him the best for the future,” said Sylke Hassel, CEO at Axplora. “I’m now looking forward to entrusting the reins of the BU to Stephan to further consolidate the company’s position as a leader in the CDMO market, while bringing new energy and ideas. Stephan will work closely with the Executive Committee and particularly with Pere Paton, our chief operations officer.”

“I am thrilled to join Axplora at a time when bringing drugs to patients globally is more important than ever,” said Haitz. “Thanks to Axplora’s wide range of technical capabilities and manufacturing excellence, the Novasep CDMO BU is well suited to support customers with developing and delivering innovative API ́s and intermediates. I am excited to be a part of such an experienced Management team and working closely with Pere to continue building the organization and driving its growth as a leading CDMO.”