Merz Pharma Group‘s new CEO for North America comes from GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) subsidiary Stiefel Laboratories.
Starting today, William Humphries will oversee Merz’s three North American companies: Merz Pharmaceuticals, Merz Aesthetics and Merz Pharma Canada. Humphries will also oversee Germany-based Merz’s global medical dermatology business. Humphries’ background is particularly suited to the dermatology responsibilities. Humphries joins Merz from dermatology and skin health products company Stiefel, where he was president. Besides leading Stiefel through two acquisitions, Humphries also oversaw the company’s integration into GSK when it was acquired for $2.4 billion 2009. His experience also includes executive positions at Allergan (NYSE:AGN), including a stint as vice president of the company’s U.S. skin care business.
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Merz has its U.S. headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina, about a 90-minute drive from Stiefel’s Research Triangle Park headquarters. Humphries will be based in Merz’s Greensboro offices. His hire comes as Merz looks to continue its growth in North America. The company established Merz Canada in 2009 to expand in Canada. The privately held Merz Pharma Group’s drug portfolio includes medications to treat neurological and psychiatric illnesses as well as dermatology products.
Merz’s products include Xeomin, an alternative to Allergan’s Botox. While Xeomin has been approved for therapeutic uses, the consumer uses marketed by Merz Aesthetics are on hold. A federal judge in California last week ruled that Merz stole Allergan trade secrets when the company hired away Allergan sales representatives. The ruling bars Merz from selling Xeomin for cosmetic applications until next January.
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