FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a - 16 or 15d - 16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of April, 2003
Commission File Number: 1-10817
CELLTECH GROUP PLC
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
208 Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire SL1 3WE ENGLAND
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No X
(If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-________).
Enclosure: Appointment of New CEO
Embargoed for release at 7am 16th April 2003
CELLTECH ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF
NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Celltech Group plc today announced the appointment of Dr. Goran Ando (54) as CEO, with immediate effect. Dr. Ando served as President of R&D at Pharmacia Corporation until its acquisition by Pfizer, which completed on 15 April 2003. Dr. Ando's extensive business role as an Executive Vice President of Pharmacia incorporated responsibility for business development, including mergers and acquisitions, and for manufacturing. Dr. Ando's previous appointments (summarised in the attached CV) included a period as R&D Director for Glaxo Group Research.
Dr. Ando succeeds Dr. Peter Fellner, who has been CEO of Celltech since 1990. Dr. Fellner will take up the position of Chairman with immediate effect, following the retirement of Mr. John Jackson.
Dr. Fellner commented, "In appointing Dr. Ando as Celltech's new Chief Executive Officer, we have selected an individual who not only has an exceptional track record in drug discovery and development appropriate for a leading R&D based biotechnology company, but one who also has extensive business experience and capabilities to guide Celltech through its next phase of growth. We are delighted that someone of his stature will be taking up the leadership of Celltech.
Goran and I have worked closely together during the past two years, in the context of Celltech's landmark partnership with Pharmacia, and he brings to Celltech qualities which I believe will accelerate the Company's development as a global biotechnology leader".
The Celltech management team reporting to Dr. Ando will be:
Dr. Ando commented, "Celltech is a world-leading biotechnology company with an exciting and innovative product pipeline. I am looking forward immensely to working with its management and scientists at this very exciting stage in the company's development."
The Board of Celltech thanks Mr. John Jackson for his very valuable contribution as Chairman over a 20 year period, during which Celltech has developed from an early-stage research-based company into one of the largest European biotechnology companies.
Contacts:
Dr. Peter Fellner
Chairman
(44) (0) 1753 534655
Peter Allen
Deputy CEO and CFO
Richard Bungay
Director of Corporate Communications
Jon Coles
Brunswick (London)
(44) (0) 207 404 5959
Fiona Fong
Brunswick (London)
(44) (0) 207 404 5959
Cindy Leggett-Flynn
Brunswick (New York)
(1) (212) 333 3810
Celltech Group plc (LSE: CCH; NYSE: CLL) is one of Europe's largest biotechnology companies, with an extensive late stage development pipeline and a profitable, cash-generative pharmaceutical business. Celltech also possesses drug discovery capabilities of exceptional strength, including a leading position in antibody engineering. More details can be found at www.celltechgroup.com.
Notes for Editors
Dr. Goran Ando - Curriculum vitae
CURRICULUM VITAE
DR. GORAN A. ANDO
Personal Details
Date of Birth:
March 6, 1949
Marital status:
Married (2 children)
Education
Saltsjobaden High School, Sweden: Graduated 1967
Linkoping Medical University:
Graduated 1973, MD
Specialist, General Medicine:
1978
Professional
1973-1977
House Physician
Visby Hospital, Sweden
1978-1980
Medical Director
Pfizer AB, Sweden
1980-1983
Director Clinical Research,
Pfizer International, NY USA
1983-1985
Vice President, Medical & Scientific Affairs
Bristol-Myers International Group, NY USA
1986-1989
Medical Director, promoted to President
Astra Research Centre, Sweden
1989-1995 Joined as Medical Director; promoted to Deputy R&D Director, and then R&D Director for Glaxo Group Research. For two years, was also responsible for Product Strategy (= central marketing) group. Managing Director of Glaxo Group Ltd. Member of Group Executive Committee Glaxo Ltd., UK
Executive Vice President & Deputy CEO
Pharmacia AB, Sweden
1995-1997
Executive Vice President, Worldwide Science & Technology
Pharmacia & Upjohn, UK
Chairman
Pharmacia & Upjohn AB, Sweden
1997-Present Executive Vice President and President, Research & Development, with additional responsibility for manufacturing, IT, business development, mergers & acquisitions. Pharmacia Corporation, NJ USA
Other
Member, Board of Directors
Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)
Washington, DC
Member, Board of Directors
Agency of Science, Technology & Research (A*STAR)
Singapore
Chairman of Board (1995-1999)
MorphoSys GmbH
Munich, Germany
Chairman of Board (1996-1999)
Prolifix Limited
London, UK
Chairman of Board (1998-2000)
IntrinsiQ Data Corporation
Boston, MA
Honorary Doctorate in Medicine (awarded 2002)
Karolinska Institute
Stockholm, Sweden
William Pitt Fellow (1997-present)
Pembroke College
Cambridge University
Founding Fellow
American College of Rheumatology
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CELLTECH
GROUP PLC
(Registrant)
By: /s/
PETER ALLEN
Peter
Allen
Chief
Financial Officer
Dated: April 16, 2003