Idorsia Founder Clozel Seeks New CEO

The Swiss pharmaceutical company Idorsia is currently seeking a new Chief Executive Officer following the resignation of Srishti Gupta on March 16, 2026. Founder and former long-standing CEO Jean-Paul Clozel has returned to the company to serve as the interim CEO while the Board of Directors conducts a search for a permanent successor.

The departure of Gupta occurred after less than a year in office. She had assumed the role of CEO in June 2024 following the initial retirement of Jean-Paul Clozel. The decision for Gupta to step down was reached by mutual agreement between the CEO and the Board of Directors. In addition to her executive role, Gupta has also left the company’s Board of Directors.

Leadership Transition and Board Changes

Jean-Paul Clozel, who remains a member of the Board of Directors, took over the interim leadership role immediately following the announcement on March 16, 2026. In a press release, Clozel expressed gratitude to Gupta for the significant contributions she has made both as CEO and as a member of the Board of Directors during an important phase in Idorsia’s development.

Parallel to the search for a new CEO, Idorsia is restructuring its Board of Directors. On March 24, 2026, the company announced the nomination of three candidates for election at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for May 6, 2026.

The nominees for the Board include:

• Natalia Misciattelli, the CEO and a Board member at AAVantgarde Bio, nominated as an independent member.
• Gabriel Baertschi, the CEO of Grünenthal, nominated as an independent member.
• André C. Muller, the former CEO of Idorsia, nominated as a non-independent member.

André Muller served as Idorsia’s CEO until June 2025 and has since been acting as an advisor to the Board. The company stated that these nominations are intended to strengthen the Board with senior leaders possessing expertise in global operations, biopharmaceutical innovation, and commercial execution.

Strategic Context and Background

Srishti Gupta’s tenure as CEO began in June 2024 with the primary objective of returning Idorsia to a path of success following a series of setbacks and negative headlines. Before becoming CEO, she had served on Idorsia’s Board of Directors since 2021 and brought 18 years of experience as an executive at McKinsey & Company, specializing in global health and pharmaceuticals.

The company is now focusing on accelerating commercial performance and business development opportunities. Mathieu Simon, the Vice Chairman and Lead Independent Board member, noted that the combined experience of the new Board nominees would support the company in advancing its innovative pipeline and ensuring continuity through extensive internal knowledge.

The upcoming Annual General Meeting on May 6, 2026, will serve as the venue for shareholders to vote on these Board nominations. The Board of Directors has also indicated that it will propose additional independent candidates for election during this meeting.