Viatris Strengthens Board with New Appointments of Frank D'Amelio and Dr. Michael Severino
Viatris Strengthens Leadership with New Board Appointments
On May 5, 2025, Viatris Inc. (Nasdaq: VTRS), a leading player in the global healthcare sector, announced the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors as part of its ongoing efforts to refresh its leadership team. The newly appointed board members, Frank D'Amelio and Dr. Michael Severino, bring with them a wealth of experience and expertise from the pharmaceutical industry, promising to play significant roles in the company's future trajectory.
The New Additions to the Board
Frank D'Amelio
Frank D'Amelio joins the board with an impressive background, having spent two decades in various high-profile roles within the pharmaceutical realm. Recently, he held the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Pfizer, where he oversaw critical corporate finance operations. During his tenure at Pfizer, he not only managed finance but also took charge during the pivotal years of the COVID-19 pandemic as the Executive Vice President of Global Supply from 2018 to 2021. Prior to Pfizer, D’Amelio held several key positions at Alcatel-Lucent and AT&T, proving his capability in financial management and operational leadership.
His educational credentials include an MBA from St. John's University and a bachelor's degree in accounting from St. Peter's University. In addition to his role at Viatris, D'Amelio serves on the boards of multiple companies, including Humana Inc. and Zoetis.
Dr. Michael Severino
Joining him is Dr. Michael Severino, a seasoned executive and drug developer, who has held the position of Chief Executive Officer of Tessera Therapeutics Inc. since 2022. Dr. Severino has extensive experience in drug development, previously serving as Vice Chairman and President of AbbVie Inc. He held several key roles at AbbVie, including Executive Vice President of Research and Development. In addition to his pharma experience, Dr. Severino spent ten years at Amgen, further bolstering his expertise in the industry.
Dr. Severino earned his M.D. from Johns Hopkins University and has completed his residency and fellowship training at prestigious institutions including Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He also serves on the boards of several pharmaceutical organizations, demonstrating his high regard in the medical community.
Board Transition
The company's board refreshment initiative comes as current directors Rajiv Malik and Harry Korman prepare for retirement at the end of their terms in December 2025, following the company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Both Malik and Korman have significantly contributed to Viatris and have expressed pride in their roles in building a company that has expanded its reach to a billion patients globally.
Melina Higgins, Chair of Viatris' Board of Directors, expressed enthusiasm for the new appointments, underscoring that D'Amelio and Severino will contribute to the company's strategy aimed at boosting shareholder value and ensuring long-term growth. Higgins recognized the invaluable contributions of the retiring board members, noting their dedication and the positive impact they have had on the organization.
Looking Ahead
Scott A. Smith, the CEO of Viatris, expressed excitement at the prospect of working with D'Amelio and Severino, believing their backgrounds in finance and drug development respectively would be beneficial to both the board and the executive management team. He thanked Malik and Korman for their exemplary service, reflecting on the strong foundation they have helped to establish for Viatris’ future.
Viatris operates with a mission to provide access to high-quality medicines for everyone, everywhere, and these new appointments are seen as pivotal in advancing the company’s goal. The company, headquartered in the United States, has a unique approach in bridging traditional generics and brand medications, which positions it strategically within the global healthcare market.
As the company charts its future with this evolved board, it stands committed to its goal: to empower people globally to lead healthier lives at every stage.
Viatris continues to innovate and improve patient access worldwide, reflecting its dedication to addressing diverse healthcare challenges as a unified leader in the pharmaceutical space.