Pharma mold-breaker Witty turns over the reins after 9 years at the GSK helm
GlaxoSmithKline CEO Andrew Witty has stepped down, passing the role to successor Emma Walmsley. This transition marks the end of his 9-year tenure at the company.
Witty wasn’t afraid to take chances as a leader. He bulked up on vaccines and OTC products in exchange for assets in the cancer field, eliminated doctor speaking fees and quotas for sales reps, and pushed a two-drug HIV combo that could jeopardize the company’s market share if it didn’t succeed.
While it’s too early to say whether those gambles will pay off, a few already look as though they may have been worth the risk.
