
A departing CMO pens a sad farewell as he heads back to the UK biopharma scene

We’re seeing the C-suites of a whole group of biotech and pharma companies in flux this week as leadership groups evolve and top execs hunt bigger and better things for their careers. Most of this news is encapsulated in short, dry remarks reserved for SEC filings.
But the departing CMO at Theravance $TBPH, Brett Haumann, clearly wanted it widely known that he’s making a reluctant exit at the company after a 7-year stint. His 8-K this week notes he’s going to change scenes and move to the UK as much for family reasons as anything else. And the note quotes him directly.
(A)s you know, my wife and I are becoming legal guardians to my sister-in-law’s young son after she sadly passed away. In order to support his transition into our family this year, I will need to be based full-time in the UK, rather than spending the majority of my time in the US as I have done for the past several years prior to the current pandemic travel restrictions. Although I was not actively looking for a role, I have been fortunate enough to be presented with a unique opportunity that is different from Theravance Biopharma in both stage and therapeutic focus, that will allow me to apply my expertise and experience to new challenges and be based in the UK, aligned with our plans for our nephew. I have not come to this decision lightly and will be saddened to leave the company that has provided me with such a rewarding set of personal and professional experiences over the past 7 years.
It’s important to remember that behind every move in the industry is a host of personal events we don’t usually know anything about.
Haumann, a physician, spent 15 years developing his skills at GSK before departing and taking the biotech trail.
Theravance is looking for his replacement now.