Syngene appoints Jonathan Hunt as CEO-designate

NEW DELHI: Syngene International, research arm of Biocon, today appointed Jonathan Hunt as its CEO-designate.

Hunt will take charge after the retirement of current CEO Peter Bains in March, Syngene International said in a regulatory filing.

Bains who worked as a director since 2010, was appointed as the CEO in February and will continue as a member of the board post his retirement, it added.

Syngene International MD, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said: "Hunt has a rich experience in the global bio-pharmaceutical industry and a proven track record of leading transformational change and delivering growth."

"We are sure under his leadership Syngene will continue to strengthen its position in the global contract research and manufacturing services market," she added.

In his new role Hunt would be responsible for strengthening Syngene's relations with its existing global customers as well as forging new relationships, the company said.

He will also steer the company's investments in developing and strengthening its capabilities and capacities to augment its service offerings, it added.

Prior to Syngene, Hunt had a long standing association with Astrazeneca where he held various leadership positions.

Shares of the company were trading at Rs 409.10 on BSE, down 2.13 per cent from the previous close.