David Solomon leaves the job as Chief Executive of Zealand Pharma, the Denmark-based biotech company writes in a stock market wire. Replacing him will be Britt Meelby Jensen, who officially starts in the job on January 15, 2015. She was most recently CEO of diagnostics company Dako, which is owned by US-based group Agilent, and she has previously been employed by Novo Nordisk through 11 years.

Dako CEO to resign

“Zealand is entering a new phase in its development, where the company will focus more on late-stage development and pre-commercialization of proprietary pipeline products. This requires a CEO with a different profile and experience. I am glad to have contributed to the growth and maturity of Zealand’s business and look forward to new challenges. I am certain that Britt Meelby Jensen will contribute her significant marketing and operational experience to Zealand’s continued development,” says departing CEO David Solomon in the release.

Chairman of the board Daniël Jan Ellens expresses his respect for the work David Solomon has performed during his time with the Danish biotech.

“We are thankful for the tremendous work David has put into Zealand in the past six years and the results achieved. Under his leadership, the company was taken public, and his experience and visionary capacity have built the business and the pipeline including innovative partnerships and brought the company to its current position, representing a strong basis for further growth,” the Chairman says.

It came as surprise to most observers when Britt Meelby Jensen quit her job as CEO of Dako in early October following just 18 months in charge of the company. According to Dako, her resignation was tied to managerial changes in connection with the integration of the diagnostics firm into the Agilent corporation.

Solomon: It takes time, but we are on the right path

Solomon: Zealand is still relevant

“Novo can say what they want to”

- translated by Martin Havtorn Petersen

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