Jazz Pharmaceuticals Appoints Renee Gala as Chief Executive Officer, Marking a New Chapter in Company’s Growth Strategy
Pharmaceuticals today announced a significant leadership transition that marks a pivotal moment in the company’s evolution. The Board of Directors has unanimously appointed Renee Gala as the company’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective August 11, 2025. Gala, who currently serves as President and Chief Operating Officer, will also join the company’s Board of Directors upon assuming her new role.
This leadership change follows the planned retirement of Jazz’s co-founder, long-time Chairperson, and CEO, Bruce Cozadd. Cozadd informed the Board in December 2024 of his intention to step down from the CEO role after more than two decades at the helm. He will continue in his capacity as Chairperson of the Board, helping to guide Jazz’s long-term strategic vision.
The appointment of Gala represents the culmination of a deliberate and rigorous succession planning process undertaken by the Board, with the goal of selecting a leader capable of sustaining the company’s strong momentum while driving long-term innovation and value creation.
Proven Leader with Deep Industry Experience
Renee Gala brings over 30 years of experience in the life sciences and healthcare industries, encompassing leadership roles across finance, strategy, corporate development, and commercial operations. She joined Jazz in 2020 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and in October 2023, she was promoted to President and COO. Since then, she has overseen all aspects of the company’s global operations, including commercial, medical, R&D, technical operations and quality, and corporate strategy.
During her tenure, Gala has been instrumental in executing a transformative business strategy that has significantly diversified Jazz’s therapeutic portfolio and strengthened its financial and operational foundation. Under her leadership, the company has nearly doubled its total revenue, expanded its global presence, and developed a high-value R&D pipeline designed to deliver long-term, sustainable growth.
“Renee is a transformational leader who has demonstrated the ability to drive both performance and innovation,” said Rick Winningham, Lead Independent Director of Jazz’s Board. “Our search was thorough, spanning both internal and external candidates. Renee stood out not only because of her deep understanding of our business and her extensive industry experience but also because of her clear vision for the company’s future. She embodies the leadership qualities and strategic acumen necessary to guide Jazz through its next era of growth.”
Strategic Vision and Commitment to Innovation
Gala assumes leadership of Jazz at a time of strong momentum for the company. Jazz has built a market-leading portfolio of commercialized medicines, with a focus on sleep medicine, oncology, and neuroscience, while also developing a robust pipeline of investigational therapies targeting high unmet medical needs.
In recent years, the company has expanded its investment in research and development and enhanced its capabilities in corporate development, enabling it to execute strategic acquisitions and partnerships that align with its long-term objectives. Jazz’s transformation from a specialty pharmaceutical company into a growth-oriented biopharmaceutical innovator is due in no small part to the leadership and vision of both Cozadd and Gala.
“I am honored and energized to take on the role of CEO at this exciting moment in Jazz’s history,” said Gala. “This is a company with a strong legacy, built on a foundation of patient-centricity, scientific excellence, and collaboration. I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done to expand our portfolio, deepen our pipeline, and build the capabilities necessary for long-term growth. But there is much more to achieve. I look forward to working with our dedicated team to advance our mission, explore new avenues of innovation, and ultimately deliver more value to the patients we serve and the shareholders who support us.”
Gala also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have worked closely with Cozadd over the past five years. “Bruce’s leadership has been a guiding light for the company and for me personally. His vision and values are deeply embedded in our culture. I am thankful for his mentorship and look forward to continuing our work together as he remains Chairperson of the Board.”
Reflecting on a Legacy of Growth and Transformation
Bruce Cozadd co-founded Jazz Pharmaceuticals in 2003 with a clear mission: to improve the lives of patients through innovative treatments. Over the past 22 years, he has led the company through periods of growth, adversity, and transformation, turning Jazz into a global biopharmaceutical enterprise with an expanding scientific footprint and commercial presence.
Under Cozadd’s leadership, Jazz has grown from a small startup into a company with multiple marketed products, hundreds of clinical and preclinical programs, and a global workforce committed to delivering meaningful impact. He spearheaded the acquisition of several key assets and companies, including GW Pharmaceuticals, a move that positioned Jazz as a leader in cannabinoid science.
“I am immensely proud of what we have built at Jazz,” Cozadd said in a statement. “When we started this journey, our goal was to transform patient lives by bringing forward meaningful new therapies. Today, we are a company defined not just by our commercial success but by our relentless pursuit of innovation and our deep commitment to the patients we serve.”
Cozadd emphasized that Gala is the right leader to take the company forward. “Renee has played a central role in our recent transformation—from reshaping our commercial strategy to strengthening our pipeline and executing business development initiatives that position us for future growth. She understands what makes Jazz unique and has the vision and discipline to lead us into the future. I am excited to see where she takes the company next.”
Continuity and a Bold New Chapter
Jazz’s Board views the leadership transition as a well-orchestrated next step in the company’s evolution. With Gala at the helm and Cozadd continuing to provide strategic guidance as Chairperson, the company is well-positioned to advance its long-term objectives, maintain its focus on scientific and operational excellence, and continue delivering value to all stakeholders.
“Jazz has a bold vision for the future—one rooted in science, inspired by patients, and powered by a culture of collaboration and integrity,” said Winningham. “With Renee’s leadership and Bruce’s ongoing support as Chair, we are confident that Jazz will continue to thrive and expand its impact in the years to come.”
As the biopharmaceutical industry faces both unprecedented opportunities and challenges, Jazz Pharmaceuticals is poised to remain at the forefront—delivering innovative treatments, expanding its global reach, and maintaining its unwavering focus on the patients who rely on its therapies.
