Changes at Endo highlight People On The Move

The executive leadership and senior management team switches are expected to aid growth after the Auxilium acquisition.

As Endo International plc prepares to acquire Aux-ilium, the company has announced changes to its executive leadership and senior management team. According to executives, the changes are designed to support Endo’s continued evolution into a leading global specialty healthcare company and accelerate growth both organically and through corporate development activities.

As part of its continued evolution, Endo International agreed to purchase Auxilium Pharmaceuticals Inc. in October 2014. The transaction, which is valued at $2.6 billion, was expected to be completed in January 2015.

“Following the close of the Auxilium transaction, expected later this month, we have the opportunity to significantly accelerate the organic growth of our branded portfolio,” says Rajiv De Silva, president and CEO of Endo (endo.com). “The changes we are making are designed to streamline decision making and drive continued expansion of our branded products that we anticipate will deliver sustained growth.”

Under the new management structure, Endo’s U.S. Branded Pharmaceuticals and U.S. Generics business units, as well as the company’s Branded Pharmaceutical R&D, will report directly to De Silva.

“This new structure will allow me to play a greater role in managing these important businesses as well as our branded R&D efforts, as we pursue organic growth opportunities for the company,” De Silva says.

Don DeGolyer, chief operating officer, Pharmaceuticals, has decided to leave Endo to pursue other opportunities. DeGolyer will step down effective March 1 and remain with Endo until Aug. 1 as a special advisor to the CEO.

“I would like to recognize Don for his leadership and contributions during the critical transformation of Endo,” De Silva says. “During his tenure, we have exceeded financial targets in our pharmaceutical businesses, sharpened our R&D focus on near-term opportunities, enhanced our focus on organic growth drivers and integrated several accretive acquisitions. We are fortunate that Don leaves behind a strong team of professionals who have successfully managed our U.S. Branded business and the Qualitest business over the past several years. We wish Don continued success in his future endeavors.”

DeGolyer says he is pleased to have been part of the return to growth and new operating model at Endo. “I am proud of the significant value we have created for the patients, employees and shareholders of Endo,” he says. “I look forward to helping Rajiv and the team with a smooth transition that positions the company for its next phase of growth.”

Upon the close of the Auxilium transaction, Endo’s U.S. Branded Pharmaceuticals business will continue to be led by Brian Lortie, president of U.S. Branded Pharmaceuticals, reporting directly to De Silva. Lortie has more than 25 years of experience in branded pharmaceuticals, including having successfully led the Endo portfolio of products for the past five years through the transformation.

Additionally, Blaine Davis will become senior VP and general manager of the newly created specialty pharmaceuticals business unit, reporting to Lortie. Davis had previously been president of Endo Ventures Ltd. and senior VP of corporate affairs.

The company anticipates defining subsequent senior leadership roles within the U.S. Branded Pharmaceuticals business before the close of the acquisition.

Beginning on March 1, Robert Rush, currently Endo’s senior VP, finance, will assume the newly created role of general manager, Qualitest, on an interim basis while the company conducts a search for a permanent general manager. Rush brings more than 20 years of healthcare experience to Qualitest. While at Endo, he has worked closely with the Endo leadership team and the Qualitest business, leading and driving several key growth initiatives. Rush will report directly to De Silva during the interim period.

In the R&D area, Susan Hall, Ph.D., Endo’s current chief scientific officer and global head of Research and Development and Quality, will continue in her role, reporting directly to De Silva. Endo anticipates defining additional senior leadership roles within the Branded Pharmaceutical R&D organization given the expanded portfolio of development assets.

Upon the close of the transaction, Keri Mattox, Auxilium’s current senior VP of investor relations and corporate communications, will serve as senior VP of investor relations and corporate affairs reporting toSuky Upadhyay, Endo’s executive VP and chief financial officer. Mattox brings more than 15 years of experience in strategic life sciences communications, investor relations, and journalism to Endo.

Robert Cobuzzi, Ph.D., will become president of Endo Ventures Ltd. in Dublin, Ireland, reporting directly to De Silva. Dr. Cobuzzi is currently senior VP, R&D Strategy and Operations, of Endo. Dr. Cobuzzi had previously been senior VP, corporate development, for Endo.

In another move not related to the Auxilium acquisition,Caroline B. Manogue, executive VP, chief legal officer, intends to retire from Endo on July 1. Endo has retained a leading executive search firm to assist in identifying a successor. Manogue will continue to serve in her role during the search process and through a transition period once her successor has been named.

“Caroline has been an integral member of Endo’s executive leadership team since 2000,” De Silva says. “Her contributions have helped shape our growth strategy and supported our transformation into a global specialty healthcare company that is improving lives while creating value for those who invest in us.

“Caroline has been instrumental in guiding us through a number of complicated corporate, intellectual property, regulatory and litigation matters. I have valued her counsel and am honored to have worked closely with her during my tenure here at Endo. She will surely be missed by many. We thank her for her years of exemplary leadership and significant contributions, and we wish her well as she enjoys her retirement.”

Manogue says she takes pride in how she has contributed to the growth and success of Endo over the past 15 years. “Helping to build the company into the global specialty healthcare company it is today has been a truly incredible and gratifying experience,” she says. “I believe that Endo is well positioned for continued growth and success. I would like to thank Rajiv and the Board for their support of my decision to retire.” medadnews

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Sandy W. Robinson

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Eric Terhaerdt

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Steven Immergut

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