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Viatris Announces Appointment of Scott A. Smith as CEO Effective

Key Takeaway: Viatris Inc. has announced the appointment of Scott A. Smith as its new Chief Executive Officer effective April 1, 2023. Smith, a veteran healthcare executive with over 35 years of experience, will be responsible for executing the company's Phase 2 strategic plan, slated for 2024. Michael Goettler, the current CEO, will assist in the transition before departing from the position. The Board of Directors expressed optimism about Smith's capabilities and the company's strong financial positioning moving forward.

Market Sentiment Analysis

POSITIVE FACTORS

  • Appointment of seasoned executive Scott A. Smith as CEO.
  • Board expresses confidence in leading company into Phase 2 growth.
  • Strong financial profile and flexibility highlighted by Scott Smith.

Full Press Release Details

Viatris Announces Appointment of Scott A. Smith as CEO Effective April 1, 2023
Smith, a seasoned senior healthcare executive, will lead the company s previously announced Phase 2 strategy and execution
Board of Directors thanks Michael Goettler, who will support
a smooth transition prior to his departure
PITTSBURGH February 27, 2023 Viatris Inc. (NASDAQ: VTRS), a global healthcare company, today announced that as it
prepares to enter Phase 2 of its previously announced strategic plan in 2024, Scott A. Smith has been appointed by its Board of Directors to lead the execution of that plan as Viatris new Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1, 2023.
In the interim, current CEO Michael Goettler will be working closely with Smith to support a smooth transition and will then depart as CEO and as a member of the board.
Smith has been a member of the Viatris Board since December 2022 and is a deeply knowledgeable senior global biotechnology and pharmaceutical executive with
more than 35 years of experience. As a former President and Chief Operating Officer at Celgene Corporation, he rose up the ranks, including holding the roles of SVP and Global Head of Immunology, as well as President of Inflammation and Immunology.
Most recently, he served as President of BioAtla, Inc., a publicly traded global biotechnology company focused on the development of Conditionally Active
Biologics TM (BAC) antibody therapeutics.
The Viatris Board believes that Smith is a seasoned
builder who possesses vast global commercial and pharmaceutical expertise and a proven ability to build, grow and manage large complex organizations. He also has substantial experience in developing and executing regulatory, clinical, and business
development strategies. One of his many achievements during his 10-year career at Celgene was to build and oversee the clinical development, registration, launch and global commercial success of the
blockbuster drug Otezla .
Robert J. Coury, Executive Chairman of Viatris said, As we now
prepare to enter into Phase 2 of our evolution for 2024 and beyond, we believe Scott Smith is the absolute right leader to guide Viatris into a period of renewed growth and leadership in our sector. The Board sees his strong commercial and strategic
expertise being complemented by his experience in organically building product franchises, business development and partnering activities. I have personally been extremely impressed with his overall approach to leadership, deep industry knowledge
and forward-looking business mindset. The Board believes that the foundation is now firmly in place for Phase 2 of the company s strategic plan, including the recent divestiture of our biologics business to Biocon Biologics as well as our other
upcoming planned divestitures, and the recent establishment of the Viatris Eye Care Division. This positions Scott well to expand upon and grow Viatris success in the years ahead.
Smith said, It is an incredibly exciting time to become Viatris CEO. I watched closely in November as the company laid out the next important
steps in its well-crafted strategic plan, including its commitment to its future capital allocation priorities, which I totally support. Since then, and particularly after joining the
board and seeing their incredible level of engagement, I have been extremely impressed by everyone that I have met during this process and have also been inspired by all that has been
accomplished in such a short period of time. Just as importantly, I am also motivated by the Company s strong financial profile and financial flexibility, including one of the strongest balance sheets in the sector. I can see many additional
opportunities and options for Viatris to accelerate its growth in the coming years.
Smith continued, I believe that my background in
franchise building, business development and biotech, coupled with the great platform we have to work from, can accelerate Viatris momentum and help deliver on its full value and potential. I look forward to collaborating with Michael during
this transition and am very excited about the prospect of working together with the board, Rajiv Malik, Sanjeev Narula, the entire management team, and especially the company s 37,000 employees around the world on the execution ahead.
Coury added, The Board of Directors and I would like to personally thank Michael Goettler for his service and dedication during the critical time
of the creation of Viatris and the establishment and ongoing execution of our Phase 1 strategy. There is a lot that has been accomplished and we are deeply grateful for the important part he played in the Company s success to date. We wish him
nothing but the best as he moves forward.
Goettler stated, It has been my sincere honor to serve as Viatris first CEO. Having had the
opportunity to help create a new kind of global healthcare company has been an experience that I will never forget and always value. I am incredibly proud of our eight consecutive quarters of successful performance and the work that we have done to
set up Viatris for long-term success. I want to thank Robert, the entire Viatris Board of Directors, the management team and especially the thousands of Viatris colleagues with whom I have had the privilege to share this journey. I am pleased to
welcome Scott into Viatris and am looking forward to supporting him during this transition, as he is well positioned to continue to build on the Company s momentum.
Coury and Smith will be joining Goettler, Malik and Narula for Viatris previously announced fourth quarter and full year 2022 financial results
conference call later this morning at 8:30 a.m. ET. Investors and the general public are invited to listen to a live webcast of the call at investor.viatris.com or by calling 866.342.8591 or 203.518.9713 for international callers (Conference
ID: VTRSQ422). A replay of the webcast also will be available on the website.
Viatris Inc. (NASDAQ: VTRS) is a global healthcare company empowering people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life. We provide access to
medicines, advance sustainable operations, develop innovative solutions and leverage our collective expertise to connect more people to more products and services through our one-of-a-kind Global Healthcare Gateway . Formed in November 2020, Viatris brings together scientific, manufacturing and distribution
expertise with proven regulatory, medical, and commercial capabilities to deliver high-quality medicines to patients in more than 165 countries and territories. Viatris portfolio comprises more than 1,400 approved molecules across a wide range
of therapeutic areas, spanning both non-communicable and infectious diseases, including globally recognized brands, complex generic and branded medicines and a variety of over-the-counter consumer products. With approximately 37,000 colleagues globally, Viatris is headquartered in the U.S., with global centers in Pittsburgh, Shanghai and Hyderabad, India.
Learn more at viatris.com and investor.viatris.com, and connect with us on Twitter at @ViatrisInc, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release includes statements that constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward looking statements may include statements about Viatris Phase 2 strategy, Viatris entering into a period of renewed growth and leadership in its sector; that the foundation
is now firmly in place for Phase 2 of Viatris strategic plan, including the recent divestiture of its biologics business to Biocon Biologics as well as its other upcoming planned divestitures, and the recent establishment of the Viatris Eye
Care Division; future capital allocation priorities; additional opportunities and options for Viatris to accelerate its growth in the coming years; and acceleration of Viatris momentum and delivering on its full value and potential; that this
positions Scott well to expand upon and grow Viatris success in the years ahead. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: the possibility that the Company may be unable to realize the intended
benefits of, or achieve the intended goals or outlooks with respect to, its strategic initiatives; the possibility that the Company may be unable to achieve expected benefits, synergies and operating efficiencies in connection with acquisitions,
divestitures, or its global restructuring program, within the expected timeframe or at all; impairment charges or other losses related to the divestiture or sale of businesses or assets; the Company s failure to achieve expected or targeted
future financial and operating performance and results; the potential impact of public health outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics, including the ongoing challenges and uncertainties posed by COVID-19; actions
and decisions of healthcare and pharmaceutical regulators; changes in healthcare and pharmaceutical laws and regulations in the U.S. and abroad; any regulatory, legal or other impediments to Viatris ability to bring new products to market,
including but not limited to at-risk launches; Viatris or its partners ability to develop, manufacture, and commercialize products; the scope, timing and outcome of any ongoing legal
proceedings, and the impact of any such proceedings; any significant breach of data security or data privacy or disruptions to our information technology systems; risks associated with international operations; the ability to protect intellectual
property and preserve intellectual property rights; changes in third-party relationships; the effect of any changes in Viatris or its partners customer and supplier relationships and customer purchasing patterns; the impacts of
competition; changes in the economic and financial conditions of Viatris or its partners; uncertainties and matters beyond the control of management, including general economic conditions, inflation and exchange rates; failure to execute stock
repurchases consistent with current expectations; stock price volatility; and the other risks described in Viatris filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Viatris routinely uses its website as a means of disclosing material
information to the public in a broad, non-exclusionary manner for purposes of the SEC s Regulation Fair Disclosure (Reg FD). Viatris undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or
changes after the date of this release other than as required by law.
For further information: MEDIA, +1.724.514.1968, Communications@viatris.com,
Jennifer Mauer, Jennifer.Mauer@viatris.com, Matt Klein, Matthew.Klein@viatris.com; INVESTORS: Bill Szablewski, +1.412.707.2866, InvestorRelations@viatris.com; William.Szablewski@viatris.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has been appointed CEO of Viatris effective April 1, 2023?

Scott A. Smith has been appointed as CEO of Viatris effective April 1, 2023.

What experience does Scott A. Smith have?

Scott A. Smith has over 35 years in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors.

What position did Michael Goettler hold before Smith's appointment?

Michael Goettler served as the CEO before Scott A. Smith's appointment.

What is the focus of Viatris' Phase 2 strategy?

The Phase 2 strategy aims at driving renewed growth and leadership in the sector.

What company did Smith lead before joining Viatris?

Prior to Viatris, Scott A. Smith served as President at BioAtla, Inc.

Last updated: Feb 27, 2023