In vitro diagnostics manufacturer bioMérieux has appointed Stefan Willemsen, MA, as president and CEO of bioMérieux Inc. He will lead all administrative, commercial, and production operations of the bioMérieux Group in the recently created North and Latin America region.
Stefan Willemsen, MA
Willemsen is a German national and an attorney by training. He holds a master’s degree in international commercial law from George Washington University, and has been a member of the New York Bar since 1999. In his new role, Willemsen will be headquartered at the company’s global BacT/Alert manufacturing and distribution site in Durham, NC.
Willemsen joined bioMérieux in 2010 after 10 years in legal and business development roles at Roche Diagnostics. As general counsel for bioMérieux, he led all legal and intellectual property teams for the group. As corporate vice president for business development, Willemsen led a series of significant acquisitions and strategic alliances, including the recent strategic acquisition of BioFire Diagnostics. Willemsen was heavily involved in the negotiations with Kratos and the acquisition of the assets of Anagnostec in 2010, and he also played an integral role in negotiating the long-term strategic collaboration with Shimadzu in 2011.
Willemsen’s contributions have supported the FDA 510(k) de novo clearance of the Vitek MS platform for rapid identification of a comprehensive menu of microorganisms, and the recent addition of the FilmArray platform to the bioMérieux portfolio, including its FDA-cleared multiplex panels for respiratory, sepsis, and gastrointestinal infections.
“The nomination of Stefan Willemsen as president and CEO of bioMérieux Inc is part of the new organization we are implementing to accelerate the operational development of our strategic plan and always better serve our customers,” said Alexandre Mérieux, CEO of bioMérieux. “I am convinced Stefan and his team will propel the development of bioMérieux in the Americas aligned with bioMérieux’s pioneering vision and dedication to public health.”
“I strongly believe in bioMérieux’s mission to advance public health by empowering clinical decisions and helping pharma and the food industry to supply safer products,” said Willemsen. “Our focus in the Americas will be to deliver innovative solutions and services to our customers, restore a satisfactory level of production and supply at our Durham site, and drive sustained operational excellence at all our manufacturing facilities.”
For further information, visit bioMérieux.
