CordenPharma Appoints Dr. Jean-Luc Herbeaux as CEO to Drive Next Growth Phase

CordenPharma Welcomes Dr. Jean-Luc Herbeaux as New CEO

On September 16, 2026, CordenPharma, a global leader in the pharmaceutical CDMO sector, made a significant announcement regarding its leadership transition. The company has appointed Dr. Jean-Luc Herbeaux as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2026. This transition marks the beginning of a new chapter for CordenPharma as it continues to evolve and expand its operations.

Dr. Herbeaux succeeds Dr. Michael Quirmbach, who has played a pivotal role in the company’s transformation over the past 12 years. As the CEO, Quirmbach has overseen CordenPharma's growth from an annual revenue of 245 million euros to over 1 billion euros. His leadership has been instrumental in establishing CordenPharma as a prominent player in the CDMO industry. Following the transition, Quirmbach will remain actively involved in the company as a board member and Senior Advisor, bringing his extensive experience and insights to support Dr. Herbeaux.

Dr. Jean-Luc Herbeaux comes to CordenPharma with a wealth of experience from Hovione, where he served as CEO for over four years. His background also includes several leadership roles at Evonik, a global leader in specialty chemicals and sustainable material technologies. In his new role, Dr. Herbeaux will be responsible for executing CordenPharma’s long-term strategy, focusing on continued growth, operational efficiency, and enhancing customer service.

CordenPharma has experienced significant strategic expansion recently, evidenced by its acquisition of AmbioPharm, a company specializing in peptide manufacturing. This acquisition is part of CordenPharma's efforts to strengthen its capabilities and support customers from early development stages to commercial production. Currently, the company employs approximately 3,500 staff across an expanded production network in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Dr. Michael Quirmbach expressed pride in what the team has accomplished together, emphasizing the strong position of CordenPharma for its future development. In response, Dr. Herbeaux expressed excitement about joining CordenPharma and acknowledged the solid foundation laid by Quirmbach and the team. His commitment is clear: to implement growth plans with discipline and strengthen partnerships with clients.

Judith Charpentier, Co-Managing Partner at Astorg, highlighted Quirmbach’s exceptional contributions over the years and expressed optimism for the future under Herbeaux's leadership. Dr. Herbeaux’s appointment is viewed as a strategic move to continue building upon the company's successes while navigating the challenges of the pharmaceutical landscape.

CordenPharma stands ready to embrace this new phase with renewed leadership and vision, ensuring its commitment to advancing the development and production of essential medications for patients worldwide. The company remains focused on providing high-value end-to-end services, including expertise in peptides, small molecules, lipid-based excipients, sterile injectables, and oligonucleotides. With a robust infrastructure and a dedicated team, CordenPharma is well-poised to meet the evolving needs of the biopharmaceutical industry.

For more details about CordenPharma and its services, please visit cordenpharma.com.