In the realm of pharmaceutical companies, employee approval of a CEO can often be an indicator of overall company performance. This correlation is evident in the case of Eli Lilly, where CEO David A. Ricks has garnered the highest approval rating among Big Pharma peers on Glassdoor, with an impressive 89% of employees approving of his leadership.
Eli Lilly’s success under Ricks’ guidance is reflected in its financial performance, with blockbuster drugs like Zepbound and Mounjaro generating over $10 billion in sales in the third quarter alone. The company’s strong pipeline and raised full-year forecasts further attest to Ricks’ effective leadership.
But how do other top pharma CEOs measure up in terms of employee approval? A comparison of the top 20 pharma companies by revenue on Glassdoor reveals varying levels of employee satisfaction. CEOs like Pfizer’s Albert Bourla, CSL’s Paul McKenzie, and Bayer’s Bill Anderson rank lower in employee approval, with approval ratings ranging from 52% to 58%.
On the other hand, CEOs like Thomas Schinecker of Roche Group, Hubertus von Baumbach of Boehringer Ingelheim, Vas Narasimhan of Novartis, and Pascal Soriot of AstraZeneca have garnered high approval ratings ranging from 87% to 87%. These CEOs have demonstrated strong leadership through strategic acquisitions, R&D initiatives, and advocacy for lowering drug prices.
For instance, Thomas Schinecker has made significant acquisitions like the $3.5 billion deal with 89bio and Roche’s focus on its obesity pipeline. Hubertus von Baumbach’s leadership at Boehringer Ingelheim has led to FDA approvals for innovative treatments like Jascayd and Hernexeos. Vas Narasimhan of Novartis has been proactive in pursuing major acquisitions like Avidity Biosciences, while Pascal Soriot of AstraZeneca has successfully navigated negotiations with the U.S. government to lower drug prices.
Overall, the approval ratings of these top pharma CEOs reflect their ability to inspire confidence and drive success within their respective companies. Their strategic vision, commitment to innovation, and advocacy for both employees and patients contribute to their high levels of employee approval and overall company performance.
