The board of directors of Ipsen appointed David Meek as chief executive officer, effective July 18, 2016. On this date, Marc de Garidel will assume the role of non-executive chairman and will continue to serve the board of directors through his deep industry expertise. In addition, Marc de Garidel will advise Mayroy, the Ipsen controlling holding company.

David Meek, an American national, has over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry where he held various global executive positions in major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Most recently, he was executive vice-president and president of the oncology division of Baxalta, which was recently acquired by Shire. David led the formation of the oncology division and rapidly created an innovative oncology portfolio through strategic acquisitions and partnering deals.

He holds a BA in Management from the University of Cincinnati and started his career at Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceutica (1989-2004), where he held a variety of U.S. senior sales and marketing positions across multiple therapeutic areas in primary care (gastroenterology, pain management, dermatology) and specialty care (oncology, neuroscience).

He then joined Novartis (2005-2012), where he successively served as the global business franchise head for the company’s respiratory and dermatology franchise in Basel, Switzerland; president and chief executive officer of the pharmaceutical division in Canada; and the head of oncology for Northern, Central and Eastern Europe, based in Milan, Italy. From 2012 to 2014, he served as chief commercial officer of Endocyte, an American biotechnology company.

David Meek will be based at Ipsen’s headquarters in Boulogne-Billancourt. His mission is to ensure the continued growth and innovative pipeline development of the specialty and primary care businesses and to advance the international expansion of the Ipsen Group especially in the United States and China.

Marc de Garidel, chairman and CEO of Ipsen said, "I am delighted to welcome David Meek to our group. David is a visionary leader with global expertise in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. His experience in the USA, Europe, and international markets as well as his deep knowledge of oncology will be invaluable. David also has significant success with business development that will be important for our strategic objectives.

“Ipsen is currently performing well and could accelerate its growth in the coming years with the launch of Cabometyx in advanced kidney cancer and Telotristat etiprate in neuroendocrine tumors, in addition to strong prospects for Somatuline and Dysport with the new recently approved indications. David’s priorities will be to continue the Group's international expansion, consolidate our leadership in a number of targeted diseases and strengthen our pipeline. I am confident that David will bring to our team new views, a new momentum and contribute to accelerating the sustainable growth of the Group."

David Meek said, "I am very honored and excited to join Ipsen as CEO, a high growth pharmaceutical group with significant opportunities for increased leadership in specialty and primary care. I am proud and motivated to lead the Ipsen employees whose tremendous skills and commitment to patients are well respected. My ambition is to focus on patients and product innovation, lead the teams, and continue the path of success started by Marc de Garidel in 2010."