Abbott Laboratories will replace longtime CEO Miles White with another veteran executive next March.
The drugmaker said Wednesday that its board unanimously appointed President and Chief Operating Officer Robert Ford to succeed White as CEO. Ford has been with the company for 23 years.
Abbott said White will become executive chairman after stepping down as CEO on March 31. White has served as chairman and CEO since 1998 for Abbott, which also makes infant formula and medical devices.
Abbott said Ford will become its 13th CEO, and all previous leaders were appointed from within the company.
Last month, Abbott reported a third-quarter profit of $960 million in a performance that met Wall Street expectations.
Shares of the Abbott Park, Illinois, company slipped 27 cents to $84.07 in premarket trading.
