Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) is in unchartered waters following the news about the exit of the company’s CEO, José-Carlos Gutiérrez-Ramos.
Gutiérrez-Ramos, who is renowned for his leadership in the Bio Therapeutics research and development department in Cambridge, MA, will leave Pfizer in search of greener pastures. Word has it that he will leave the pharmaceuticals company to for a position in the flourishing biotech industry. This might not be such good news for Pfizer, but it is certainly good news for candidates hoping to secure the now empty leadership position.
There is no official word yet about his next venture. However, he did leave a small comment in the company’s statement. The statement cited that he had decided to go back into the Biotech division in the Cambridge department.
During his career path, Gutiérrez-Ramos has obtained a lot of important contacts in the research industry. His career drug development goes back decades ago to biotech pioneers such as bluebird bio Inc (NASDAQ:BLUE). He worked with the likes of Nick Leschly, who is one great startup leaders. He also crossed paths with David Schenkein, who is the current CEO at Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:AGIO).
The decision to go back to the Biotech industry is well informed especially because the biotech scene is at its heights. Michael Ehlers will take Gutiérrez-Ramos’s place in Cambridge. Ehlers has been working at Pfizer since 2010 after moving from Howard Hughes Medical Institute where he worked as an investigator. If he takes up the new position, he will relinquish his current position as Pfizer’s CSO in the neuroscience and pain department.
Gutiérrez-Ramos was one of the key individuals who had a major influence on the development of Pfizer’s new research center. The center is located on Kendall Square and spans over a space of 284,000-square-foot.
The company recently announced its plans to restructure its research and development staff. It reported that the decision is in line with its plan to adapt to changing market conditions.
