Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 18, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 26, 2026
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Merck KGaA names new leaders for its lab and pharmaceuticals divisions, with strategic plans unchanged.
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Germany's Merck KGaA said on Tuesday its lab equipment division and its pharmaceuticals division would be under new leadership from June but it added that its strategy remains unchanged.
Jean-Charles Wirth is to become the CEO of the Life Science unit, a maker of gear and supplies for biotech labs, succeeding Matthias Heinzel, who has decided to not renew his contract.
Wirth currently heads the Science & Lab Solutions subunit within Life Science, the company said in a statement.
Danny Bar-Zohar, currently the head of drug research and development, will become CEO of the pharmaceuticals division, succeeding Peter Guenter, who has decided to retire from Merck, it added.
In addition, Khadija Ben Hammada will assume the newly created role of Chief People Officer on March 1, as Merck adds a sixth executive board seat.
She currently holds the title of Chief Human Resources Officer and will take on additional responsibilities in areas such as sustainability, compliance and site management of the headquarters in Darmstadt.
(Reporting by Ludwig Burger, editing by Rachel More)
Jean-Charles Wirth will become the CEO of the Life Science unit, succeeding Matthias Heinzel.
Danny Bar-Zohar will take over as CEO of the pharmaceuticals division, succeeding Peter Guenter, who is retiring.
Khadija Ben Hammada will assume the newly created role of Chief People Officer on March 1.
She will take on additional responsibilities in sustainability, compliance, and site management of the headquarters.
The new leadership for the lab equipment and pharmaceuticals divisions will be effective from June.
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