Viatris Inc., a global healthcare company, as it enters Phase 2 of its previously announced strategic plan in 2024, Scott A. Smith has been appointed to lead the execution of that plan as Viatris’ new Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1, 2023. Current CEO, Michael Goettler, will work closely with Smith to support a smooth transition.
 

Smith has been a member of the Viatris Board since December 2022 and is a senior global biotechnology and pharmaceutical executive with more than 35 years of experience. Most recently, Smith served as President of BioAtla, Inc., a publicly traded global biotechnology company focused on the development of Conditionally Active Biologics™ (BAC) antibody therapeutics.
 
Smith formerly served as President and Chief Operating Officer at Celgene Corp., where he held roles of increasing responsibility, including SVP and Global Head of Immunology, and President of Inflammation and Immunology.
 
Smith brings vast global commercial and pharmaceutical expertise and a proven ability to build, grow and manage large complex organizations. He also has substantial experience in developing and executing regulatory, clinical, and business development strategies. One of his many achievements during his 10-year career at Celgene was to build and oversee the clinical development, registration, launch and global commercial success of the blockbuster drug Otezla.
 
Robert J. Coury, Executive Chairman of Viatris said, “As we now prepare to enter into Phase 2 of our evolution for 2024 and beyond, we believe Scott Smith is the absolute right leader to guide Viatris into a period of renewed growth and leadership in our sector. The Board sees his strong commercial and strategic expertise being complemented by his experience in organically building product franchises, business development and partnering activities. I have personally been extremely impressed with his overall approach to leadership, deep industry knowledge and forward-looking business mindset. The Board believes that the foundation is now firmly in place for Phase 2 of the company’s strategic plan, including the recent divestiture of our biologics business to Biocon Biologics as well as our other upcoming planned divestitures, and the recent establishment of the Viatris Eye Care Division. This positions Scott well to expand upon and grow Viatris’ success in the years ahead.”
 
Goettler said, “It has been my sincere honor to serve as Viatris’ first CEO. Having had the opportunity to help create a new kind of global healthcare company has been an experience that I will never forget and always value. I am incredibly proud of our eight consecutive quarters of successful performance and the work that we have done to set up Viatris for long-term success. I want to thank Robert, the entire Viatris Board of Directors, the management team and especially the thousands of Viatris colleagues with whom I have had the privilege to share this journey. I am pleased to welcome Scott into Viatris and am looking forward to supporting him during this transition, as he is well positioned to continue to build on the Company’s momentum.”