Sir Mene Pangalos set to stand down after 14 years at AstraZeneca

Professor Sir Mene Pangalos, executive vice president, BioPharmaceuticals R&D at AstraZeneca, is retiring and will step down from his role early next year after almost 14 years with the company and an illustrious 35-year career.

Since joining AstraZeneca in 2010, Mene has led the transformation of R&D, leading to a five-fold improvement in productivity.

AstraZeneca’s CEO Pascal Soriot took the opportunity to thank Mene for “his remarkable contribution to AstraZeneca” and added: “In particular, I would like to pay tribute to the role he played in AstraZeneca’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and in overseeing the creation of the DISC – our new R&D centre in Cambridge, UK.

“The quality of the medicines he has brought to patients, and pipeline and capabilities he has built will be his legacy for many years to come.”

Mene said: “Working at AstraZeneca for nearly 14 years has been an absolute privilege and by far the highlight of my career. I especially wanted to thank Pascal, SET and the board for their support through the years. The transformation we have made to the pipeline, helping bring many innovative new medicines to patients around the world, has been incredible. This is thanks to the amazing and talented teams I am so proud to have worked alongside.”

He will be succeeded as EVP, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, by Sharon Barr. She has been senior vice president, head of research and product development of Alexion, AstraZeneca’s rare disease group, since 2013.

Sharon became a member of AstraZeneca’s senior executive team (SET) on August 1.

Mene added: “Whilst moving on is always difficult, I know I leave the company in great hands with Sharon and am personally really looking forward to spending more time with my family at home in the UK and in Greece.

“I will be cheering everyone on from the side-lines excited about the new innovations I know you will deliver while turning great science into great medicines.”