Biotech Company Unveils Leadership Changes and Strategic Reorganisation

Darmstadt-based biotech firm R-Biopharm AG, which celebrated its 35th anniversary in July, is undergoing management board changes and a strategic overhaul. Dr Peter Schubert, a long-serving Board of Management member in charge of Research and Development, and Jochen Hirsch, a Board of Management member overseeing subsidiaries and the Food and Feed Analysis business unit, are set to depart on 1 September. CEO Christian Dreher expressed gratitude: "I would like to thank both colleagues for their trusting, committed and successful cooperation on the Board of R-Biopharm, with which we have set the course for our future as a modern, international biotechnology company."

Dr Schubert, formerly Head of Research and Development, then a Management Board member, introduced ground-breaking technologies and therapeutic approaches during his tenure, some of which led to the establishment of new subsidiaries. After more than two decades, he's retiring, with Frank Vitzthum taking over his responsibilities starting 1 October. Dr Vitzthum, a biochemistry PhD holder with substantial industry experience, comes from Siemens Healthineers, where he held various roles, including heading R&D for the Specialty Lab Solutions unit and being CEO of Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Products GmbH. Apart from R&D and customer-focused system solutions, he will oversee Quality Management and Regulatory Affairs at the company, and is looking forward to "advancing relevant as well as innovative technologies together with colleagues at R-Biopharm, which create sustainable value for our company and our customers."

After eleven years at the company, Jochen Hirsch seeks new challenges in a southern German startup. He has managed up to 28 subsidiaries since 2012, expanding the geographic footprint of the group by founding new subsidiaries and strengthening the life science business. His contributions have significantly driven the company's success. CEO Christian Dreher will take on his board responsibilities. Dr Frank Apostel, a chemist with a molecular medicine and biochemistry doctorate, will seamlessly handle Sales & Marketing for Clinical Diagnostics and Nutrition Care divisions from 1 September. Having been with the company since 2012, he most recently led R-Biopharm subsidiary Aprimeo Diagnostics GmbH & Co KG.

"I am looking forward to returning to R-Biopharm AG with a fresh perspective on the familiar and by using my experience in sales and business development to help shape the further transformation of the company into a modern, internationally oriented and holistically operating group," said Apostel.

Christian Dreher: "The new Management Board structure clearly assigns the subsidiaries to sales and marketing units. This will enable us to face the new challenges of the business units with even greater focus."

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