18 February 2025
Non-Executive Board
Changes
AstraZeneca PLC announced today that Karen Knudsen
will be proposed for election as a Non-Executive Director at the
Company's Annual General Meeting on 11 April 2025.
Karen will become a member of the Science Committee
and the Sustainability Committee if elected to the Board.
Biographical details for Karen are set out below.
Current Non-Executive Directors, Deborah DiSanzo and
Andreas Rummelt will not stand for re-election this year and will
retire from the Board at the end of the AGM on 11 April 2025.
The Board has appointed Diana Layfield, Non-Executive
Director as a member of the Remuneration Committee with effect from
1 May 2025.
Michel Demaré, Chair of AstraZeneca, said "I am very
pleased Karen has accepted our invitation to join the Board.
Subject to her election by shareholders at the AGM, as a
globally-recognised cancer scientist with broad executive
experience in oncology, she will be well-positioned in respect of
the Board's work.
"Karen's deep knowledge of the US healthcare industry
and medical academic environment also makes her a great fit for
AstraZeneca. Her proposed appointment to the Board's Science
Committee and Sustainability Committee reflects the broad
contribution I believe she will make to AstraZeneca's success.
"On behalf of the whole Board, I would like to
thank Deborah DiSanzo and Andreas Rummelt for the significant
contributions they have made to our work, as well as the insights
and experience they have brought to their roles as Board Committee
members. Deborah has been with us since 2017 and her
experience at the intersection of healthcare and technology has
been very valuable as we continue to advance our business at the
forefront of science and digital technologies. Andreas was
previously a director of Alexion and joined our Board in 2021
following AstraZeneca's acquisition of the company, bringing
important manufacturing and supply chain experience, as well as
insights into the Alexion business at the crucial time of
integration between the organisations. Andreas has been a
member of the Sustainability Committee since its formation in
2021. We wish them both well in their future
endeavours."
Biographical details
- Karen Knudsen
Karen is a globally-recognised cancer scientist
and executive leader. She has a track record of translational
discoveries in advanced prostate cancer that shaped understanding
and treatment approaches, as well as expertise in healthcare
innovation, strategic partnerships and organizational growth.
Most recently, she served as Chief Executive Officer of the
American Cancer Society (ACS) and its advocacy affiliate, ACS
Cancer Action Network, where she led the organization through a
period of transformative growth, increasing revenue and expanding
research, advocacy and patient support.
Karen previously served as Hilary Koprowski
Endowed Professor and Chair of Cancer Biology at Thomas Jefferson
University and Enterprise Director of the Sidney Kimmel
Comprehensive Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute
(NCI)-designated centre of excellence. Karen has held various
leadership roles in oncology, including EVP of Oncology Services at
Jefferson Health and serving on the NCI Board of Scientific
Advisors, as President of the Association of American Cancer
Institutes, and on the Board of Directors of the American
Association for Cancer Research. Her contributions to
oncology and healthcare leadership have been recognized with
numerous awards, including honours from the Endocrine Society, the
Prostate Cancer Foundation and the American Society for Clinical
Oncology.
Karen is Professor Emerita of Thomas Jefferson
University and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center.
She is an Independent Director of Exai Bio, serves on the
board of Research!America, and as a board adviser for
ArteraAI.
Except as set out above, no disclosure obligations
arise under paragraphs (1) to (6) of UKLR 6.4.8 R of the UK
Financial Conduct Authority's Listing Rules in respect of Karen
Knudsen's appointment.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is
a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the
discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription
medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals,
including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory
& Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca's
innovative medicines are sold in more than 125 countries and used
by millions of patients worldwide. Please
visit astrazeneca.com and
follow the Company on social media @AstraZeneca
Contacts
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Adrian Kemp
Company Secretary
AstraZeneca PLC
