Actelion nominates Garnier and Bertolini to board; UK's ABPI names industry outside as new CEO

Swiss biotech firm Actelion (SIX: ATLN) which is under pressure from shareholder Elliott Advisors (which owns 6% of the company) to take control of its board largely with the aim of selling the firm (The Pharma Letters passim), today announced the nomination of Jean-Pierre Garnier and Robert Bertolini for election to the company’s board of directors at the 2011 annual general meeting of shareholders, to be held on May 5.

When elected, Dr Garnier, the first chief executive of the then newly-created UK pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline, will become a vice chairman together with Joseph Scodari. As part of its succession planning, it is the intention of the board that Dr Garnier will be appointed chairman following, as previously announced, the conclusion of Robert Cawthorn’s term of office at the 2012 AGM.

Robert Cawthorn, current chairman and CEO of Actelion, commented: "Dr Garnier’s distinguished career includes seven years as the first CEO of GlaxoSmithKline. Thanks to his judgment, charisma, experience and energy, he made the integration of GlaxoWellcome and SmithKline Beecham a true success, creating the world's second largest pharmaceutical group at the time. His operational and financial expertise is respected across the industry. Mr Bertolini, the former CFO of Schering-Plough, is highly experienced in finance, corporate strategy and governance. He will bring invaluable perspective to Actelion, having served more than 20 years in senior management and board director roles at innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies as well as at a Big Four accountancy firm."