Zoetis Appoints Kevin Esch as New R&D President to Succeed Rob Polzer in 2026, Marking a Strategic Leadership Transition in Global Animal Health Innovation
Zoetis Inc. (NYSE: ZTS), the world’s leading animal health company, announced a major leadership transition in its research and development organization as it prepares for the next era of veterinary innovation. The company revealed that Rob Polzer, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and President of Research and Development (R&D), will retire at the end of 2025 following a decade-long tenure that has shaped Zoetis into the industry’s most innovative player. After a comprehensive succession process, Zoetis has appointed Kevin Esch, D.V.M., M.P.H., Ph.D., Dipl. ACVP (anatomic), to assume the role of President, Research and Development, effective January 1, 2026.
Dr. Esch currently serves as Senior Vice President of Global Therapeutics at Zoetis, where he has played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s therapeutics portfolio and driving innovation in veterinary care. He joined Zoetis in 2014, following more than a decade as a practicing veterinarian and clinic owner, bringing deep real-world clinical experience to the corporate R&D environment. In his new role, Dr. Esch will join the Zoetis Executive Team and report directly to Chief Executive Officer Kristin Peck.
Dr. Polzer will continue leading R&D operations through the end of 2025 and will officially retire from Zoetis on February 28, 2026. To ensure a seamless transition, he will remain available throughout the year as a scientific advisor, working closely with Dr. Esch and the broader leadership team. This transition period will allow for continuity in Zoetis’ innovation pipeline and R&D strategy, which have been central to the company’s market leadership.
A Decade of Transformational Impact: Rob Polzer’s Legacy in Animal Health
During his 10-year career at Zoetis, Dr. Rob Polzer has been instrumental in redefining what veterinary science can achieve. Under his leadership, the R&D organization has delivered some of the most significant scientific breakthroughs in animal health, introducing novel therapeutics, vaccines, diagnostics, and digital technologies that have enhanced animal well-being and supported veterinarians worldwide.
Dr. Polzer’s scientific rigor, commitment to excellence, and passion for advancing animal health helped position Zoetis as a model for innovation-driven growth. He oversaw a vast global network of research scientists, clinical experts, and manufacturing partners, fostering a culture of collaboration and discovery. His tenure coincided with Zoetis’ expansion into entirely new categories, including monoclonal antibodies, precision medicine, and digital diagnostics—each of which has transformed the way veterinarians prevent, diagnose, and treat disease.
Reflecting on his contributions, Kristin Peck, Chief Executive Officer of Zoetis, remarked,
During his 10 years with Zoetis, Rob’s vision, scientific rigor, and commitment to our purpose have enabled Zoetis to remain at the forefront of animal health, strengthening our leadership, innovation, and impact across the industry. We are deeply grateful for his dedication and the lasting contributions he has made to our company, our colleagues, and the customers we serve.”
As he prepares for retirement, Dr. Polzer will remain engaged as a scientific advisor throughout 2026, continuing to share insights that support Zoetis’ strategic growth and mentoring the next generation of scientific leaders within the organization.
Kevin Esch: A New Chapter of Leadership and Scientific Excellence
Dr. Kevin Esch’s appointment represents both continuity and renewal for Zoetis’ R&D organization. With a career that bridges clinical veterinary practice, public health, and translational research, Dr. Esch brings a unique blend of scientific expertise and practical understanding of the challenges facing veterinarians today. His leadership within Zoetis’ Global Therapeutics division has been marked by an unrelenting focus on addressing unmet medical needs in animals, driving portfolio expansion across species, and fostering cross-functional collaboration.
In his current role, Dr. Esch has overseen development across multiple therapeutic areas, helping Zoetis maintain its industry-leading position. His work has contributed to the launch of innovative medicines for pain management, parasitic control, and chronic diseases in both companion and livestock animals. His appointment as head of R&D signals Zoetis’ ongoing commitment to advancing disruptive science that not only benefits animals but also supports the people who care for them.
CEO Kristin Peck emphasized the company’s confidence in Dr. Esch’s leadership:
“Kevin’s scientific vision and lifelong commitment to animal health have elevated Zoetis’ global therapeutics portfolio and inspired teams across our organization. His leadership has not only been critical in advancing our innovative pipeline but also in setting a standard of excellence and collaboration that strengthens our entire industry.”
Peck further noted that Dr. Esch’s forward-thinking approach aligns perfectly with Zoetis’ long-term strategy:
“I am confident that Kevin’s dedication to veterinary medicine will lead Zoetis in continuing to address unmet needs through disruptive innovation, fueling growth and propelling forward as the leader in animal health.”
Driving the Future of Veterinary Science: Zoetis’ Innovation Engine
Zoetis’ success has long been underpinned by its robust and diversified R&D pipeline. The company’s innovation strategy integrates lifecycle management, geographic expansion, and breakthrough technologies to deliver a consistent flow of new products and solutions. As articulated at the JPMorgan Healthcare Conference earlier this year, Zoetis anticipates achieving at least one major regulatory approval in a key market every year for the foreseeable future—a reflection of the company’s disciplined scientific investment and operational excellence.
With 17 blockbuster products currently on the market and more than 2,000 new products and lifecycle innovations introduced in the past 12 years, continues to outpace its competitors in R&D productivity and commercialization capability. Its broad portfolio covers vaccines, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and genetic testing for both companion animals and livestock. The company’s integrated approach allows for rapid translation of scientific discoveries into practical solutions for veterinarians and farmers, improving animal health outcomes globally.
Importantly, Zoetis has consistently invested more in research and development than any other animal health company. This commitment reflects not only a financial investment but also a cultural one—an organizational belief that innovation is the key to sustainability, competitiveness, and purpose-driven growth. Under the stewardship of Dr. Polzer and, soon, Dr. Esch, this philosophy has guided toward the creation of new therapeutic categories that redefine standards of care across species.
Strategic Vision: Disruptive Innovation and Global Growth
Beyond product development, Zoetis’ innovation model embraces disruptive technologies that transform veterinary practice and animal husbandry. This includes investments in biologics, precision medicine, diagnostics, and digital tools that allow for earlier disease detection and personalized treatment.
The company’s success with monoclonal antibodies for chronic pain and allergy management in dogs, as well as its genetic and diagnostic tools for livestock producers, are prime examples of how Zoetis continues to expand the boundaries of veterinary science. Moreover, Zoetis’ growing presence in emerging markets positions it to meet rising global demand for protein and companion animal care—a trend that continues to shape the future of the animal health industry.
These strategic initiatives will be discussed in greater detail at upcoming Innovation Webcast on December 2, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. ET. The webcast will provide investors and the general public with insights into the company’s cutting-edge R&D capabilities, updates on its product pipeline, and its long-term growth potential. The event underscores ongoing commitment to transparency, scientific excellence, and value creation for shareholders and stakeholders alike.
Leadership Transition Built on Collaboration and Continuity
Zoetis’ structured approach to leadership succession reflects its commitment to stability and continuity in advancing its innovation-driven agenda. Dr. Polzer’s extended advisory role through 2026 ensures that institutional knowledge and scientific expertise are preserved while empowering Dr. Esch to implement his strategic vision for the next generation of veterinary breakthroughs.
This transition also underscores the company’s emphasis on talent development and internal advancement. Both Dr. Polzer and Dr. Esch represent the strength of Zoetis’ leadership pipeline, which nurtures scientific talent capable of driving sustainable growth and maintaining the company’s global leadership in animal health.
By entrusting the R&D organization to Dr. Esch—an accomplished veterinarian, pathologist, and scientist—Zoetis signals confidence in the future of its research enterprise. The leadership change comes at a time when animal health innovation is becoming increasingly complex, intersecting with global public health, climate change, and food security. As such, continuity of scientific vision and operational excellence remains essential.
A Shared Commitment to Purpose and Progress
The announcement of this leadership transition is not merely an organizational change—it represents Zoetis’ reaffirmation of its core mission: to nurture the world and humankind by advancing care for animals. Both Dr. Polzer and Dr. Esch have embodied this mission throughout their careers, championing science that serves veterinarians, farmers, and pet owners alike.
As Zoetis moves into 2026 and beyond, its R&D strategy will continue to focus on areas of high unmet need, leveraging the latest advances in molecular biology, biotechnology, and digital analytics. This approach ensures that Zoetis remains not just a market leader, but a true innovator shaping the future of animal health.
Through this carefully managed leadership transition, Zoetis is poised to sustain its momentum, expand its global reach, and accelerate its contributions to veterinary science under a new generation of leadership.
In summary, the transition from Dr. Rob Polzer to Dr. Kevin Esch marks a pivotal moment for Zoetis—one that honors a decade of scientific achievement while embracing a future defined by innovation, collaboration, and global impact. As Zoetis prepares to enter its next phase of growth, the company’s deep bench of scientific talent, strong leadership continuity, and unwavering dedication to advancing animal health ensure that it will continue setting the pace for veterinary innovation worldwide.
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