AstraZeneca (AZ) has announced that Marc Dunoyer will take over from Simon Lowth as the company’s chief financial officer.
The decision ends a near four-month search for a replacement after Lowth announced in July his intention to leave the company for a similar role at natural gas firm BG Group.
Dunoyer only joined AZ in June this year as executive VP, global portfolio and product strategy, to support the company’s global restructuring programme. He was previously head of the rare diseases business at big pharma rivals GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
AZ’s CEO Pascal Soriot said he was “delighted” with the appointment of Dunoyer.
“Following a thorough and extensive search it became clear that Marc possessed the rare blend of financial, business and science experience that will be critical in this role in the coming years as we focus on returning AstraZeneca to growth and achieving scientific leadership,” said Soriot.
Dunoyer will begin his new role on November 1, reporting directly to Soriot.
AZ said his replacement as as executive VP, global portfolio and product strategy will be announced separately.