GlaxoSmithKline nabs Astra's Luke Miels to head global pharma

The president of GlaxoSmithKline’s global pharmaceuticals division, Abbas Hussain, is leaving the company later this year, to be replaced by AstraZeneca’s Luke Miels.

Miels, who is currently executive vice president of Astra’s European business, will report to current chief executive officer designate Emma Walmsley, who will become CEO of GSK in April.

His start date will be announced in due course.

Walmsley said: “Luke brings a combination of excellent research and development insight and a strong track record of commercial execution.

"We are now entering a critical period of commercialisation for our new pharmaceutical products and, over the next two to three years, we have important data to come on our early-stage pipeline. Luke will bring a strong new voice to the decisions and choices we will have to make for our pharmaceuticals business.”

At AstraZeneca, Miels helped strengthen the company's product portfolio, launching Tagrisso in the US, improving growth of the cardiovascular and metabolic portfolios, notably Brilinta, and through business development with investments in companies such as Acerta Pharma and the acquisition of ZS Pharma.

At 1040 GMT, GSK shares were up 0.1% to 1,562p.