Pharmaceutical Industry Faces Turmoil as CEOs and VPs Exit En Masse Amid Policy Shifts and Market Pressures

Recently, another group of senior executives (vice chairmen, vice presidents, deputy general managers, etc.) from listed pharmaceutical companies have resigned.

Humanwell Healthcare Group Co. Ltd.

Humanwell Healthcare Group Co. Ltd. announced that on June 9, 2025, the company's board of directors received written resignation reports from director Li Jie, director and president Deng Xiafei, and vice president Li Li'e. The three will no longer hold positions in Humanwell Healthcare Group Co. Ltd. as of the date the board received their resignation reports. The reason for their departure is personal (retirement). Meanwhile, the company has appointed former vice president Du Wentao as the new president.

Novo Nordisk

Following the departure of Ms. Jiang Yiwei, Corporate Vice President of Novo Nordisk's Emerging Business Unit, on March 3 this year, another vice president is leaving. Recently, Novo Nordisk announced that Mr. Zhang Yifan (YIFZ) will step down from his position as Vice President of Novo Nordisk's Obesity Business Unit on June 30, 2025. The Obesity Business Unit will undergo an organizational restructuring on June 12.

Johnson & Johnson

Recently, the announcement of Ian Dai’s departure as Vice President of Johnson & Johnson Medical Technologies China and Chief Digital Officer was made public. According to an official statement by Johnson & Johnson Medical Technologies, Ian Dai submitted his resignation to pursue external development opportunities, with his last working day being June 30. Ian Dai joined Johnson & Johnson Medical Technologies China in April 2022, taking on his current role. Prior to that, he served at GE Healthcare for over 20 years, having joined GE Healthcare in 1998 and held various management positions. Since 2010, he successively served as Chief Technology Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, General Manager of the R&D Center, and Chief Innovation Officer of GE Healthcare China.

Roche

According to Roche's announcement, as of May 31, Wang Biye, Deputy General Manager and Head of Administration and General Affairs of Roche (Shanghai) Pharmaceuticals Ltd., will conclude his term at Roche and return to Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co., Ltd. Wang Biye began his tenure at Roche on March 1, 2021, nominated by Shanghai Pharmaceuticals and appointed by the board of directors. Shanghai Pharmaceuticals is the Chinese joint venture partner of Roche (Shanghai) Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Merck & Co.

On May 29, market sources reported that Anna Tian, Global Senior Vice President of Merck & Co. and President of Merck China, will step down as the China President to take up a position in Europe. From 2012 to 2015, Anna Tian served as the Chief Marketing Officer of Merck China, overseeing the market strategy and marketing for all products. In June 2021, Anna Tian returned from Canada to China to succeed Rogerio Ribeiro as the new President of Merck China.

Buchang Pharmaceuticals

On May 27, 2025, Shandong Buchang Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (Stock Code: 603858, Stock Abbreviation: Buchang Pharmaceuticals) announced that Mr. Wang Baocai, Vice President of the company, had submitted his resignation letter due to personal reasons, resigning from his position as Vice President. After the resignation, he will no longer hold any position in the company.

AstraZeneca

In April this year, news came that AstraZeneca China had adjusted its organizational structure, and three senior executives left the management team.

Liu Qian, Vice President of AstraZeneca China and General Manager of the Respiratory and Digestive Diseases Business Unit, will have his last working day on April 28; Chen Xi, Vice President of AstraZeneca China and Head of the Respiratory, Autoimmune Biopharmaceuticals, Vaccines, and Immunotherapy Business Unit, will have her last working day on May 31; Zhang Jing, Assistant Vice President of AstraZeneca China and Head of the Respiratory Nebulization and Digestive Injectable Business under the Respiratory and Digestive Diseases Business Unit, will officially retire from AZ in May.

Industry insiders analyze that the frequent resignation of senior executives in the pharmaceuticals industry is closely related to factors such as industry policy changes and intensified market competition. In recent years, the deepening advancement of healthcare system reforms, policies like centralized drug procurement and consistency evaluation have imposed higher demands on enterprise management and operations. At the same time, with increasing industry competition, companies are required to continuously innovate, transform, optimize their product portfolios, and adjust business layouts, presenting new challenges to the capabilities and decision-making of management. Against this backdrop, some executives have chosen to resign, reassessing industry prospects and personal development plans.

Compiled by Sina Medicine

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Business Cooperation:Yang Xiaoyu 15210041717