Evotec is in Search of a new CEO following the Decision of Werner Lanthaler to Depart

Evotec SE experienced a significant downturn in its stock value following the unexpected resignation of its long-standing CEO, Werner Lanthaler, who departed two years before the scheduled end of his term due to personal reasons, according to the Hamburg-based pharmaceutical company.

Mario Polywka, a former COO and current supervisory board member, agreed to step into the role of interim CEO. Lanthaler will continue to serve as a strategic adviser to the supervisory board, Evotec confirmed. The board has initiated an internal and external quest for a successor.

Lanthaler stated his departure was influenced by the exceptionally demanding nature of 2023. He plans to take a six to nine-month educational sabbatical before embarking on his next entrepreneurial endeavor, as mentioned in the company’s statement.

The sudden departure resulted in a sharp decline in the company’s stock, plunging up to 22% in German trading, marking the largest drop in nearly a decade. During Lanthaler’s tenure, which started in 2009, Evotec observed remarkable growth in its stock, positioning it as one of the top performers among major German companies.

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