Sam Brusco, Associate Editor05.06.24
QuidelOrtho has appointed Brian J. Blaser as the company’s new president and CEO, effective today. Blaser will also join the company’s board on May 15, when the Board will be expanded from ten to eleven members.
This news follows the firing of previous president and CEO Douglas Bryant as the company’s president and CEO after a comprehensive evaluation. The board didn’t offer a reason for Bryant’s termination at the time.
Blaser was most recently executive VP of diagnostics products for Abbott Laboratories. There he oversaw the global diagnostics organization, including core laboratory, point of care, rapid diagnostics, and molecular diagnostics businesses. Before that, Blaser had various strategic, operational, and diagnostic roles at Abbott.
He also held leadership positions at Ortho Clinical Diagnostics division of Johnson & Johnson, Eastman Kodak, and General Motors.
“I am honored and excited to join QuidelOrtho as president and CEO during this pivotal point in the company’s journey. The company’s commitment to customer service and its dedication to improving healthcare outcomes align closely with my own values,” said Blaser. “I am eager to collaborate with the QuidelOrtho team to drive innovation and continued growth, while delivering value to customers, shareholders and employees.”
“We are excited to welcome Brian as our new president, CEO and director,” said Kenneth F. Buechler, Ph.D., QuidelOrtho’s Chairman of the Board. “Brian brings over 25 years of senior leadership experience in the in-vitro diagnostics industry, including seven years of full responsibility for Abbott’s global diagnostics business. His proven track record of executing transformational strategies to streamline operations and driving revenue growth to dramatically improve profitability makes him an ideal leader to guide QuidelOrtho through its next phase of growth.”
This news follows the firing of previous president and CEO Douglas Bryant as the company’s president and CEO after a comprehensive evaluation. The board didn’t offer a reason for Bryant’s termination at the time.
Blaser was most recently executive VP of diagnostics products for Abbott Laboratories. There he oversaw the global diagnostics organization, including core laboratory, point of care, rapid diagnostics, and molecular diagnostics businesses. Before that, Blaser had various strategic, operational, and diagnostic roles at Abbott.
He also held leadership positions at Ortho Clinical Diagnostics division of Johnson & Johnson, Eastman Kodak, and General Motors.
“I am honored and excited to join QuidelOrtho as president and CEO during this pivotal point in the company’s journey. The company’s commitment to customer service and its dedication to improving healthcare outcomes align closely with my own values,” said Blaser. “I am eager to collaborate with the QuidelOrtho team to drive innovation and continued growth, while delivering value to customers, shareholders and employees.”
“We are excited to welcome Brian as our new president, CEO and director,” said Kenneth F. Buechler, Ph.D., QuidelOrtho’s Chairman of the Board. “Brian brings over 25 years of senior leadership experience in the in-vitro diagnostics industry, including seven years of full responsibility for Abbott’s global diagnostics business. His proven track record of executing transformational strategies to streamline operations and driving revenue growth to dramatically improve profitability makes him an ideal leader to guide QuidelOrtho through its next phase of growth.”