On June 24, 2019 MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment; MDAX & TecDAX; Nasdaq: MOR) reported that its Supervisory Board has appointed Jean-Paul Kress, M.D., as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (Press release, MorphoSys, JUN 24, 2019, View Source [SID1234537240]). The appointment will take effect on September 1, 2019.

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Dr. Kress brings over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, with a strong track record of commercial and operational leadership in various senior management roles in North America and Europe. His focus has been on operations, corporate development and especially the commercialization of innovative products addressing unmet medical needs across diverse disease indications. Prior to joining MorphoSys, Dr. Kress served as Chief Executive Officer at Syntimmune, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing differentiated drug candidates in a wide range of autoimmune diseases, which was acquired by Alexion in November, 2018. Previously, he acted as Head of North America at Sanofi Genzyme, where he was instrumental in launching dupilumab, the first biologic agent approved in atopic dermatitis.

In his new position, Dr. Kress will succeed Dr. Simon Moroney, who will step down as CEO on September 1, 2019. Dr. Moroney will support Dr. Kress during a transition period.

"I am delighted to welcome Jean-Paul Kress as the new CEO of MorphoSys." said Dr. Marc Cluzel, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of MorphoSys. "He is a seasoned and highly experienced pharma executive with a strong commercial and operational track record. MorphoSys is at an inflection point of its business evolution, bringing its first product to the market and establishing a commercial presence in the U.S. Jean-Paul’s industry expertise will perfectly complement the experienced MorphoSys Management Board to ensure successful execution on the key business priorities while continuing to grow shareholder value."

"On behalf of the entire Supervisory Board, I want to express our sincere gratitude to Simon Moroney for fulfilling the role as CEO over the past 27 years. His tireless efforts for MorphoSys have contributed substantially to making it the biopharmaceutical success story that it is today." Marc Cluzel continued.

"I am excited and privileged to be the next CEO of MorphoSys, and I appreciate the confidence that the Supervisory Board has placed in me," commented Jean-Paul Kress. "This is a dynamic and outstanding time for MorphoSys, and I look forward to working with my new colleagues to deliver innovative medicines to patients all over the globe and contribute to MorphoSys becoming a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company."

Dr. Moroney said, "I am immensely proud of everything we have achieved over the past 27 years since MorphoSys was founded. MorphoSys is stronger than it has ever been and now is an excellent time to make the transition to a new CEO. With Jean-Paul’s medical, commercial and leadership expertise I have every confidence that MorphoSys will make great strides in the execution of its strategy."

About Jean-Paul Kress
Dr. Jean-Paul Kress has a proven track record of senior leadership positions in the biopharma and biotechnology industry. Prior to joining MorphoSys, Dr. Kress served as Chief Executive Officer at Syntimmune, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing differentiated drug candidates in a wide range of autoimmune diseases. Before, he acted as Executive Vice President and Head of Global Therapeutic Operations at Biogen and Senior Vice President, Head of North America at Sanofi Genzyme, where he was instrumental in launching several therapeutic products, including dupilumab, the first biologic agent approved in atopic dermatitis. He gained further experience in positions at Sanofi Pasteur MSD, Gilead, Eli Lilly and Abbvie. Dr. Kress received an M.D. degree from Faculté Necker-Enfants Malades in Paris, and graduate and post-graduate degrees in pharmacology and immunology from École Normale Supérieure in Paris.