AbbVie CEO Richard Gonzalez steps down after successful tenure

Negocios Now

Richard Gonzalez has stepped down as CEO of AbbVie after transforming it into one of the largest companies in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry in less than a decade.

  Gonzalez, who is on Negocios Now’s ‘50 Powerful Corporate Hispanics, ‘ leaves the position as one of the most successful Hispanics in a high corporate role.

  Robert Michael, AbbVie’s current President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), will succeed Gonzalez. Prior to his present role, Robert served as Vice Chairman and President at AbbVie. He began his career at Abbott, where he participated in the financial development program and later served in roles such as Division Controller.

Before transitioning to AbbVie, Richard Gonzalez served as President and Chief Operating Officer at Abbott. He also held various senior leadership positions at Abbott, including President and Chief Operating Officer of the Medical Products Group and Senior Vice President and President of the former Hospital Products Division.

 Under Gonzalez’s leadership, AbbVie’s market capitalization soared from $54 billion in 2013 to over $300 billion in 2024. He also successfully navigated the end of exclusivity for the biologic Humira in the US.

“Negocios Now has had the privilege of profiling Richard in our editions. His outstanding performance as the CEO of one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world exemplifies Hispanic leadership at the corporate level,” said Clemente Nicado, Publisher of Negocios Now.