Lilly’s Latest Leadership Shuffle Gives CSO Skovronsky Immunology Oversight

Eli Lilly and Company shuffled some of its therapeutic area heads into new roles two years ago, and the company announced on 4 October that it is mixing up its leadership structure again now that EVP Mike Mason, president of Lilly Diabetes and Obesity, is set to retire at the end of 2023. Among the changes, chief scientific officer and president of Lilly Research Laboratories Daniel Skovronsky will take on the additional role of president of Lilly Immunology.

The shifts come at a time when the big pharma is focused on key drug launches in obesity and Alzheimer’s disease, pending anticipated approvals later this year. Skovronsky is taking on oversight of Lilly’s immunology franchise after the business faced two surprising setbacks – the US Food and Drug Administration issued complete response letters (CRLs) declining to approve mirikizumab for ulcerative colitis in April and lebrikizumab for atopic dermatitis earlier this week due to manufacturing concerns