EXTON, PA — West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE: WST) has appointed former Thermo Fisher Scientific executive Michel Lagarde as president and chief executive officer, positioning the drug-delivery manufacturer for its next leadership transition as demand for injectable therapies continues to expand across the pharmaceutical industry.
Lagarde will assume the roles of president, CEO and member of the board of directors on Aug. 31, succeeding Eric M. Green, who is retiring from his positions as president, chief executive officer and board chair, the company announced.
The board also elected Lead Independent Director Robert F. Friel to serve as chairman effective Aug. 31, separating the roles of board chair and chief executive as part of the transition.
The leadership change comes as West, a major supplier of packaging and delivery components used in injectable medicines, seeks to capitalize on growth in biologics, specialty pharmaceuticals and other therapies that rely on injectable drug administration.
Lagarde most recently served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific, where he oversaw the majority of the company’s business operations. He joined Thermo Fisher through its 2017 acquisition of Patheon N.V., a pharmaceutical services company where he previously served as president and chief operating officer.
Before Patheon, Lagarde was a managing director at healthcare-focused private equity firm JLL Partners from 2008 to 2016. Earlier in his career, he spent 12 years at Philips in finance leadership roles across multiple international markets.
“The life sciences industry is at a pivotal point,” Lagarde said in a statement. “As innovation accelerates and AI reshapes how therapies are developed, the demand for reliable, high-quality delivery of injectable medicines has never been greater.”
Lagarde also serves on the board of directors of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, where he chairs the Audit and Finance Committee.
Friel stated that the board selected Lagarde following a search process that focused on leadership experience, customer relationships and long-term value creation. “Throughout his career, Michel has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to customers, an ability to build high-performing teams and an impressive track record of long-term value creation,” Friel said.
West Pharmaceutical Services manufactures packaging, containment and delivery systems used by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide. The company is headquartered in Exton and serves customers across the injectable drug market.
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