News
Article
Author(s):
Gala will succeed Bruce Cozadd, effective August 11, 2025.
Renee Gala named next CEO of Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Gala will take over as president and CEO on August 11, 2025, following Bruce Cozadd’s planned retirement.
·Gala credited with nearly doubling Jazz’s revenue: Her leadership in business development strategy helped drive 90% revenue growth and portfolio expansion.
· Leadership change aligns with major pipeline milestone: The announcement comes shortly after Jazz received FDA Priority Review for a lung cancer treatment.
Jazz Pharmaceuticals has announced that Renee Gala, current president and chief operating officer, will succeed Bruce Cozadd as president and CEO as of August 11, 2025. Cozadd, who announced his intention to retire in December 2024, will remain board chairperson. According to the company, the leadership transition highlights Gala’s significant role in advancing Jazz’s ongoing transformation.1
"The Board conducted a thorough and thoughtful search including both internal and external candidates, and we're highly confident that Renee is exactly the right leader to build on Jazz's momentum," said Rick Winningham, lead independent director, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, in a press release. "The Board's priority was to find an exceptional leader who could not only operate the business but also serve as a catalyst in driving long-term growth at this important moment for the Company.
“Among a field of highly capable and qualified candidates, Renee was the clear standout, with a compelling set of experiences and skillsets, as well as a strong track record of driving high performance and change at Jazz through both corporate development and operational initiatives. The Board has a strong focus on Jazz's evolution and delivering value, and we believe Renee is ideally equipped to drive and deliver Jazz's continued success."
Gala joined Jazz as EVP and chief financial officer in March 2020 before being promoted to president and chief operating officer in October 2023. In that role, she oversaw Jazz's global business operations, including commercial, medical, R&D, technical operations, quality, and corporate strategy. According to the company, she played a key role in Jazz’s transformation by leading a business development strategy that diversified its portfolio, drove nearly 90% revenue growth, strengthened operational capabilities, and built a pipeline designed for long-term value creation and sustainable growth. Before joining Jazz, Gala held leadership positions across finance, strategy, corporate development, and commercialization at GRAIL, Theravance, and Eli Lilly.1
"I am honored to step into the CEO role and build upon Jazz's extraordinary legacy, fueled by exceptional people, a spirit of purpose and an unwavering commitment to patients," said Gala, in the press release. "With a market-leading portfolio of medicines, a promising pipeline, a strong financial position and an ongoing focus on corporate development, Jazz has immense potential—and more work to be done to realize it.”
The announcement follows Jazz’s recent update to its oncology pipeline. On June 10, 2025, the company announced that the FDA granted Priority Review to its supplemental new drug application for Zepzelca (lurbinectedin) in combination with Tecentriq (atezolizumab) as a first-line maintenance treatment for patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer whose disease has not progressed after induction therapy.2
“I look forward to continuing the important efforts underway and working with our team to pursue new opportunities—both within our portfolio and through external innovation—to drive greater value for our patients and shareholders,” continued Gala, in the press release. “I want to express my deep appreciation to Bruce for his steadfast leadership over the past two decades in building an organization defined by patient-centricity and mutual respect, a foundation that will serve us well into the future. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have partnered with Bruce over the last five years and look forward to continuing to work with him and the Board in this next chapter."
References
Lead with insight with the Pharmaceutical Executive newsletter, featuring strategic analysis, leadership trends, and market intelligence for biopharma decision-makers.
