Illumina names Agilent exec Jacob Thaysen as CEO
(Reuters) -Illumina Inc's board on Tuesday named Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A)' executive Jacob Thaysen as the U.S. genetic testing company's CEO, months after its former head stepped down following a proxy fight with billionaire Carl Icahn.
Illumina (NASDAQ:ILMN) had repurchased cancer diagnostic test maker Grail in 2021 despite opposition from the U.S. and European antitrust regulators — a decision that prompted Icahn to pursue a proxy fight, arguing the unit should be divested as it had cost investors billions of dollars.
The proxy battle ended with a May vote in which Icahn won enough shareholder support to oust the then board chair, John Thompson, and appoint his nominee, Andrew Teno, on the board.
Illumina's former head Francis deSouza stepped down in June, marking another victory for the activist investor, even though deSouza had secured more than twice the number of shareholder votes than his challenger.
Thaysen, who has been part of the analytical instruments division leadership at Agilent since 2018, would take on his role at Illumina effective Sept. 25.
Following this, Charles Dadswell, who has been serving as Illumina's interim CEO since June, would resume his role of senior vice president and general counsel at Illumina.
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