Gabriel Baertschi

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chairman of the Corporate Executive Board

Gabriel Baertschi Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Grünenthal Group

Gabriel Baertschi, Chief Executive Officer

“I hope that I can contribute to making the world a better place for patients.”

Gabriel Baertschi


Chief Executive Officer, Grünenthal

He came, he saw – and ditched the ties. Gabriel Baertschi is someone who rolls up his sleeves and a forward thinker whose mission is dedicated to growing our business and driving our scientific leadership.

Although a trained biologist, his love of science and dedication to improving patient’s lives led him to work for the pharmaceutical industry. Gabriel’s commitment to ensuring our business is sustainable moving forward is hugely valued; he is the epitome of entrepreneurial spirit, courage and diversity.

Originally from Switzerland, he joined the Grünenthal Group in October 2016 as Chairman of the Corporate Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer bringing with him over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry primarily working for AstraZeneca.

Gabriel Baertschi at a glance


Nationality: Swiss

Year of birth: 1974

Education: Harvard Business School, USA: leading enterprise transformation; Université de Neuchâtel, Switzerland: Master of Science in biology; his research received a Nobel Foundation Award and the distinction “Excellent” at the Swiss Youth Research

Family status: Married, one daughter

Leisure time: Family, photography, travelling and scuba diving


Career Highlights

Since 2016: Chairman of the Corporate Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer, Grünenthal

2013-2016: Company President Japan, AstraZeneca

2010-2012: Company President Germany, AstraZeneca

2009-2010: Company President Thailand, AstraZeneca

2006-2009: General Manager Vietnam & Indonesia, AstraZeneca

Since 2021: Member of the Board of MedXCell, a Swiss biotech company dedicated to transforming healthcare through the development and production of affordable and accessible new therapies utilizing the unique powers of living cells

Since March 2023: Non-executive Board Member at DKSH. The company delivers growth for companies in Asia and beyond across its Business Units Healthcare, Consumer Goods, Performance Materials, and Technology. As a leading Market Expansion Services provider, DKS offers sourcing, market insights, marketing and sales, eCommerce, distribution, and logistics, as well as after-sales services.