Pharmaceutical Sector Association EFPIA Welcomes Joe Jimenez, CEO of Novartis, as New President

EFPIA is pleased to announce today the official appointment of Joe Jimenez, CEO of Novartis, as its new President, following confirmation by the EFPIA Board on 9 December. He will work alongside Dr. Stefan Oschmann, CEO Pharma of Merck KGaA, and Marc de Garidel, Chairman and CEO of Ipsen, who have been appointed as Vice Presidents by the Board, also on 9 December.

Joe Jimenez was previously serving as EFPIA Vice-President. He was already EFPIA’s President-Elect at the time of former EFPIA President Chris Viehbacher’s resignation on 29 October 2014 and due to take over leadership of EFPIA in June 2015.

In anticipation of the upcoming renewal of mandates, the Board has agreed to extend Joe Jimenez’s appointment until June 2017. This is to be ratified during the EFPIA General Assembly in June 2015.

Commenting on his appointment, Joe Jimenez stated: “I look forward to taking on this important role and to working with my colleagues in the pharmaceutical industry, and with our stakeholders, as we shape the future of innovative medicines in Europe. With the new Commission in office, it is an exciting time as health and life sciences are central to the EU agenda.”  

Richard Bergstrom, Director General of EFPIA, stated: “Joe Jimenez’s experience in the pharmaceutical industry, both within and beyond EFPIA, will prove of great value as he steps into his role as EFPIA President. His dedication to cross-sector dialogue and collaboration will help EFPIA to take its Health & Growth strategy to the next level.”

Launched in 2014, EFPIA’s Health & Growth strategy outlines its vision for an innovative collaborative approach towards a stronger, healthier EU, around three pillars: health outcomes, sustainable financing, and a thriving ecosystem. As Europe emerges from the crisis, there is an opportunity to re-orient the way European health systems operate, moving from a focus on transactions to a paradigm centred on health outcomes for patients.

Asked for his vision for the EFPIA Presidency, Joe Jimenez stated: "My vision is for a prosperous Europe in which all stakeholders are aligned towards improving and rewarding positive patient outcomes. I believe this is the right thing to do for patients, and for the sustainability of our health systems. Importantly, it will also drive sustained R&D investment and jobs in Europe.”

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