The Galenica Group, a Switzerland-based healthcare group that develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products, runs pharmacies, provides logistical and database services and sets up networks, plans to separate into two independent companies.

Current company changes to prepare for the separation include changes at the executive level. The group will be headed by two CEOs: one CEO for Vifor Pharma (the former Pharma division) and one CEO for Galenica Santé (the former Santé division). Both CEOs will report directly to the executive chairman. The role of CEO, Galenica Group is being abolished.

The new management structure will enable the different Pharma and Santé business models to develop in a more focused way based on their individual growth dynamics. With this move, Galenica Group prepares the Vifor Pharma and Galenica Santé units to become independent companies in the future.

The board of Galenica Group has appointed Søren Tulstrup CEO of the Vifor Pharma division and Jörg Kneubühler CEO of the Galenica Santé division. Jörg Kneubühler also will continue as chief financial officer of the Galenica Group. The new structure is effective immediately.

David Ebsworth, who has been CEO of Vifor Pharma since 2009 and was appointed CEO of Galenica Group in 2011, has decided to step down from his operational duties and retire, effective Aug. 31, 2015. He will continue to support the Galenica Group in a special projects role.