Molecular diagnostics specialist Qiagen has a new CEO as Jonathan M. Pratt takes the reins.
Pratt joins the Netherlands-based company after being president and CEO of Filtration Group, a company that sells and develops HVAC and clean air filters, medical respiratory therapy consumables and other products.
He’s also served stints at SVP of the Waters Division at Waters Corporation and as president of Beckman Coulter Life Sciences.
“My first priority will be to listen to Qiagen teams and customers, learn more about the business and understand where we can sharpen our choices, strengthen execution and create greater impact,” Pratt said in a release.
“I look forward to working with the team to advance our vision of making improvements in life possible.”
The appointment comes after the unexpected announcement in November last year that Qiagen’s long-term chief executive, Thierry Bernard, would be stepping down. He had been CEO of the company for six years.
At the time, the company gave no more details on Bernard’s exit. Bernard oversaw Qiagen during its 2020 roller coaster, in which it was almost bought out by Thermo Fisher for around $12.5 billion, before the deal collapsed that August following a rebuff from shareholders.
Pratt’s new role as CEO came on the heels of a “comprehensive search process,” Qiagen said in a statement, adding he was “selected for his global industry knowledge, international leadership experience and proven track record of improving performance across global businesses.”
Bernard will step down as CEO and managing director and “will support an orderly transition through the end of the year,” Qiagen said. Pratt takes charge officially on Sept. 1.