Organon Appoints Interim CEO and Board Chair; Reports Results of Audit Committee Investigation

On Oct 27, 2025

The Board of Directors of Jersey City-based Organon has appointed company executive vice president and head of manufacturing & supply, Joseph Morrissey, interim chief executive officer. Board Chair Carrie S. Cox will also take on additional responsibilities on an interim basis as executive chair to support Morrissey in his new role. Director Robert Essner will assume the role of lead independent director.

These appointments follow the resignation of Kevin Ali as CEO and member of the board in connection with the audit committee investigation described below. Ali has agreed that he will not be entitled to severance or equity-related retirement benefits in connection with his resignation.

After concerns regarding the company’s wholesaler sales practices for its Nexplanon® product were brought to the board’s attention, the audit committee of the board oversaw an independent, internal investigation into its sales to wholesalers. The investigation found that certain wholesalers in the United States were asked to buy more Nexplanon than they needed at the end of the fourth quarter of 2022, the third and fourth quarters of 2024 and the first, second and third quarters of 2025.

The investigation found these sales represented less than 1% of the company’s consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 or December 31, 2024 as applicable, but enabled Organon to meet guidance and/or certain external revenue expectations. The company’s board determined that these wholesaler sales practices were improper and certain of the company’s prior statements were inaccurate or incomplete.

While the findings to date do not necessitate a restatement or revision to any previously issued financial statements, the company is taking remedial actions to improve its financial controls and address any material weaknesses. In connection with the investigation, the company terminated the employment of its Head of U.S. Commercial & Government Affairs. There has been no finding that the company’s chief financial officer was aware of the improper wholesaler sales practices.

The board is initiating a search for a permanent CEO, including both internal and external candidates, and retaining a search firm to assist with the process.

“The Board has confidence in Joe Morrissey’s ability to drive operational excellence,” said Cox. “Joe has extensive experience in senior leadership roles and is a highly regarded leader inside the organization.”

“Carrie’s deep experience leading global pharmaceutical businesses, coupled with her extensive board experience, will complement Joe’s skills and make her the right partner to assist Joe in leading the company forward. We thank both Joe and Carrie for stepping up to lead our company during this period and believe they have the integrity, skills and experience to continue executing on our strategy to drive Organon’s business,” said Essner.

Morrissey, a member of the company’s executive leadership team, has served as head of Organon’s global manufacturing and supply chain capabilities for over four years, leading the company’s efforts to deliver medicines and solutions around the world.

He came to Organon from Merck & Co., Inc, where he spent more than 30 years of his career. From 2017 to 2021, he served as senior vice president of Merck’s Animal Health Global Manufacturing and Supply, and from 2014 to 2016 as senior vice president and leader of Global Human Health Pharmaceutical Manufacturing. Previously, he held positions of increasing responsibility in pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing, global facilities management, corporate strategy and supply chain management.

“I look forward to continuing to execute on Organon’s business strategy, including further delevering the business and driving cost savings while achieving revenue growth,” said Morrissey. “We believe Organon’s focus on operational execution, especially around our growth pillars, as well as reducing our debt ratios will drive long-term shareholder value.”

Organon currently intends to timely file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025 by the deadline imposed by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Company plans to host a call and webcast to discuss third quarter 2025 financial results in connection with the filing of its Form 10-Q. Details are forthcoming. For additional information regarding these matters, please refer to Organon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on Oct. 27.

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

Related Articles: