Evotec Appoints Dr. Sarah Fakih as EVP, Head of Global Communications and Investor Relations
Rhea-AI Summary
Evotec (NASDAQ:EVO) announced on January 2, 2026 the appointment of Dr. Sarah Fakih as Executive Vice President, Head of Global Communications and Investor Relations.
Dr. Fakih will lead a newly integrated Global Communications and Investor Relations function and report directly to CEO Dr. Christian Wojczewski to strengthen alignment, clarity and stakeholder engagement. The move follows the departure of Volker Braun, who led investor relations and ESG for five years. Dr. Fakih brings more than 15 years of life‑sciences experience and prior senior roles at QIAGEN, MorphoSys and CureVac, and holds a PhD in Chemistry.
Positive
- Integrated Communications/IR function created (effective Jan 2, 2026)
- Role reports directly to CEO, centralising strategic messaging
- Dr. Fakih brings >15 years life‑sciences and capital markets experience
- Leadership experience at QIAGEN, MorphoSys and CureVac adds market expertise
Negative
- Departure of Volker Braun after five years in investor relations and ESG
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
EVO was down 1.28% with mixed peer moves: AMPH -1.03%, PCRX -0.58%, HROW -1.17%, DVAX 0%, TLRY +1.12%, suggesting stock-specific factors rather than a unified sector move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 08 | Asset sale / deal | Positive | -3.5% | Closing of Sandoz Toulouse site sale with large cash and milestone potential. |
| Dec 04 | Clinical trial update | Positive | +1.1% | Partner Bayer starting Phase 2 trial for BAY 3401016 in Alport syndrome. |
| Nov 12 | Milestone payment | Positive | +5.7% | US$5m milestone from BMS after FDA IND acceptance for CELMoD candidate. |
| Nov 12 | Earnings / outlook | Negative | -15.7% | 9M 2025 results with revenue decline and adjusted EBITDA loss despite guidance. |
| Nov 04 | Strategic transaction | Positive | -1.2% | Agreement with Sandoz for site sale and >US$650m potential plus royalties. |
Recent history shows volatile reactions: sizable declines around financial updates and strategic asset transactions, while clinical and milestone news have generally aligned with positive price moves.
Over the past few months, Evotec has focused on strategic portfolio reshaping and partnered R&D progress. In November 2025, it signed and later closed a Sandoz deal tied to potential payments over US$650m and royalties on up to 10 biosimilars, yet shares fell after both announcements. 9M 2025 results showed €535.1m revenue and an adjusted EBITDA loss of €(16.9)m, prompting a sharp negative reaction. By contrast, positive clinical and milestone updates with Bayer and Bristol Myers Squibb saw constructive price responses.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights Evotec’s decision to integrate Global Communications and Investor Relations under a new EVP with more than 15 years of life sciences and capital markets experience. Set against recent strategic transactions and earnings volatility, the move underscores a focus on clearer messaging around strategy and value creation. Investors may watch how this leadership change influences disclosure quality, consistency of strategic narratives, and engagement with capital markets following large Sandoz-related deals and prior financial updates.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Creation of new Executive Vice President role integrating Global Communications and Investor Relations to strengthen strategic messaging and stakeholder alignment
HAMBURG, DE / ACCESS Newswire / January 2, 2026 / Evotec SE (NASDAQ:EVO; Frankfurt Prime Standard:EVT) today announced the appointment of Dr. Sarah Fakih as Executive Vice President, Head of Global Communications and Investor Relations. In this strategic role, Dr. Fakih will lead Evotec's newly integrated Global Communications and Investor Relations function.
Reporting directly to CEO Dr. Christian Wojczewski, she will bring together both teams to strengthen alignment, clarity and engagement across stakeholders. The integration of Communications and Investor Relations supports Evotec's focus on a clear and consistent articulation of its strategy, scientific leadership and value creation. The appointment follows the departure of Volker Braun, who successfully led Evotec's Investor Relations and ESG function over the past five years.
Dr. Christian Wojczewski, Chief Executive Officer of Evotec, said: "Clear and credible communication is essential as we continue to execute our strategy. Sarah's extensive experience across science, investor relations and corporate communications makes her ideally suited to this role. I would like to thank Volker for his dedicated contributions to our investor relations and ESG during the past five years and wish him all the best for the future."
Dr. Fakih brings more than 15 years of experience in life sciences, with a strong leadership track record in capital markets strategy and corporate messaging. She has held senior roles at U.S. listed companies, including QIAGEN, MorphoSys, and most recently at CureVac. She holds a PhD in Chemistry.
About Evotec SE
Evotec is a life science company that is pioneering the future of drug discovery and development. By integrating breakthrough science with AI-driven innovation and advanced technologies, we accelerate the journey from concept to cure - faster, smarter, and with greater precision.
Our expertise spans small molecules, biologics, cell therapies and associated modalities, supported by proprietary platforms such as Molecular Patient Databases, PanOmics and iPSC-based disease modeling.
With flexible partnering models tailored to our customers' needs, we work with all Top 20 Pharma companies, over 800 biotechs, academic institutions, and healthcare stakeholders. Our offerings range from standalone services to fully integrated R&D programs and long-term strategic partnerships, combining scientific excellence with operational agility.
Through Just - Evotec Biologics, we redefine biologics development and manufacturing to improve accessibility and affordability.
With a strong portfolio of over 100 proprietary R&D assets, most of them being co-owned, we focus on key therapeutic areas including oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, neurology, and immunology.
Evotec's global team of more than 4,800 experts operates from sites in Europe and the U.S., offering complementary technologies and services as synergistic centers of excellence. Learn more at www.evotec.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X/Twitter @Evotec.
Forward-looking statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements concerning future events, including the proposed offering and listing of Evotec's securities. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "should," "target," "would" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include comments regarding Evotec's expectations for revenues, Group EBITDA and unpartnered R&D expenses. These forward-looking statements are based on the information available to, and the expectations and assumptions deemed reasonable by Evotec at the time these statements were made. No assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates, which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of Evotec. Evotec expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Evotec's expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.
For further information, please contact:
Investor Relations and Media Contact
Dr. Sarah Fakih
EVP Head of Global Communications & Investor Relations
Sarah.Fakih@evotec.com
SOURCE: Evotec SE
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
FAQ
Who is Dr. Sarah Fakih and what role did Evotec (EVO) appoint her to on January 2, 2026?
How does Evotec say the new Global Communications and Investor Relations role will affect its messaging?
Who did Dr. Sarah Fakih succeed in Evotec's investor relations and ESG function (EVO)?
What relevant experience does Dr. Sarah Fakih bring to Evotec (EVO)?
Will Evotec (EVO) change how investors access company communications after this appointment?
