Pharma Policy Veteran Thomas Cueni Joins Menarini’s Board

FLORENCE, Italy – May 07, 2026 – The Menarini Group, Italy’s largest pharmaceutical multinational, has appointed global health policy leader Thomas Cueni to its Board of Directors in a strategic move poised to significantly enhance its governance and international prowess. Cueni, a veteran with nearly four decades of experience shaping pharmaceutical policy, joins the board as the company navigates a period of robust growth and an increasingly complex global landscape.

The appointment positions a formidable figure in global health advocacy inside the boardroom of the Florence-based company, which boasts a €4.88 billion turnover and a presence in 140 countries. Cueni will serve alongside Chairman Eric Cornut, CEO Elcin Barker Ergun, shareholders Lucia and Alberto Giovanni Aleotti, and Carlo Colombini. He succeeds Jürg Witmer, who steps down after 13 years of service.

"We are very pleased to welcome Thomas Cueni to Menarini," commented shareholders and Board members Lucia and Alberto Giovanni Aleotti in a statement. "His extensive experience in global health policy leadership aligns closely with our mission to combine innovation and responsibility in ways that help improve patient care."

A Legacy of Global Health Leadership

Thomas Cueni is not a typical corporate executive. His career is distinguished by high-level leadership roles at the intersection of industry, policy, and global public health. For seven years, until early 2024, he served as the Director General of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA), the global body representing the research-based pharmaceutical industry. In this capacity, he was a central figure in coordinating the industry's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and was instrumental in developing the "Berlin Declaration," a blueprint for ensuring equitable access to medical countermeasures during future pandemics.

His most notable achievements, however, may be his pioneering efforts against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a threat the World Health Organization deems a top global public health crisis. Cueni was the driving force behind the establishment of the AMR Action Fund, a groundbreaking public-private partnership that raised nearly USD 1 billion. The fund’s ambitious goal is to revitalize a stagnant development pipeline and bring two to four new antibiotics to patients by 2030.

Furthermore, as the Founding President of the AMR Industry Alliance, he brought together over 100 companies—from R&D-focused firms and generics makers to biotech and diagnostics companies—to create one of the largest private sector coalitions dedicated to finding sustainable solutions to curb drug resistance. This background in forging cross-sector initiatives provides him with a unique perspective on solving systemic health challenges.

A Strategic Play for a Growing Multinational

Cueni’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Menarini. The company has been aggressively expanding its international footprint and fortifying its R&D pipeline, with a particular focus on oncology. A key milestone in this strategy was the 2020 acquisition of Stemline Therapeutics, a U.S.-based biopharmaceutical company, which significantly bolstered Menarini’s portfolio of cancer treatments.

More recently, the company has embraced cutting-edge technology, entering into exclusive licensing agreements with Insilico Medicine to develop novel cancer therapies discovered using artificial intelligence. These moves underscore a commitment to advanced science and a drive to compete at the highest levels of pharmaceutical innovation. Cueni’s deep understanding of the global innovation ecosystem and the regulatory pathways that govern it will be a critical asset.

His experience navigating the complex web of international organizations, from the WHO to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), provides Menarini with unparalleled strategic insight. As the company continues to launch new products in its key therapeutic areas—including cardiometabolic diseases, gastroenterology, and pneumology—across its 140-country network, Cueni’s expertise will be invaluable for overcoming market access hurdles and shaping favorable policy environments.

Navigating a Complex Geopolitical and Regulatory Tide

The pharmaceutical industry operates within a landscape defined by geopolitical volatility, supply chain vulnerabilities, and ever-evolving regulatory demands. The appointment of a seasoned diplomat—Cueni began his career as a Swiss diplomat with postings to the OECD and IAEA—is a clear acknowledgment of these external pressures.

In their announcement, Lucia and Alberto Giovanni Aleotti highlighted this very point, noting that Cueni’s appointment represents "a fundamental contribution to our ability to face the challenges of a constantly evolving pharmaceutical industry, in an increasingly complex global geopolitical context." His ability to build consensus and navigate intricate negotiations will be crucial as Menarini balances commercial ambitions with public health responsibilities.

His work at the helm of IFPMA involved constant engagement on issues of intellectual property, fair pricing, and equitable access—topics that remain at the forefront of global health debates. As Menarini expands its presence in both established and emerging markets, having a board member with firsthand experience in these high-stakes discussions provides a distinct strategic advantage.

Aligning on Mission and Responsibility

Beyond strategic and geopolitical considerations, Cueni’s appointment signals a powerful alignment of values. His career has been defined by a commitment to improving patient outcomes on a global scale, a mission that resonates with Menarini’s own stated principles of corporate social responsibility and its focus on patient health.

Menarini has already integrated ESG criteria into its business model and runs an Expanded Access Program through Stemline, providing investigational medicines to patients with life-threatening illnesses who have no other options. Cueni’s patient-centric philosophy, demonstrated through his advocacy for access to treatments and his work with the City Cancer Challenge to improve care in low- and middle-income countries, complements these existing efforts.

"I am proud to bring all my experience and commitment to the Menarini Group," Cueni stated. "Joining a growing and dynamic company that is combining scientific excellence, innovation, and commitment to global health represents a unique opportunity for me to contribute to what I care for: improving the lives of patients wherever they live."

As Jürg Witmer’s 13-year tenure on the board concludes, Menarini is not merely filling a seat but is embarking on a new chapter. The addition of Thomas Cueni fortifies its leadership with a voice dedicated to both innovation and access. His appointment marks a clear signal that for Menarini, navigating the future of global health requires not just scientific breakthroughs, but also profound policy and diplomatic expertise.