Karen Massey succeeds co-founder Tim Van Hauwermeiren, who has led argenx since its founding in 2008 and now transitions to the role of Chairperson of the Board of Directors.

“Karen has earned the full confidence of the Board of Directors and our shareholders,” said Tim Van Hauwermeiren, Chair of the Board of Directors. “She is a proven leader who has played a central role in shaping argenx’s execution and long-term growth strategy. Karen leads with our responsibility to patients, the argenx culture, and a vision to continue to build our pipeline. I look forward to supporting Karen and the leadership team as argenx enters its next phase of growth.”

Massey joined argenx in March 2023 as Chief Operating Officer and has played an important role in shaping the company’s operational execution and long-term strategy. Her appointment as CEO follows shareholder approval of her role as executive director of the Board of Directors.

The leadership transition comes at an important moment for argenx, which has grown into one of Europe’s leading biotech companies and a global player in immunology. The company is best known for developing and commercializing the first approved neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) blocker, while continuing to expand its pipeline of antibody-based therapies for severe autoimmune diseases.

Under Van Hauwermeiren’s leadership, argenx evolved from a bold biotech start-up into a global immunology company listed on both Euronext and Nasdaq. Earlier this year, BiotechNews spoke with Van Hauwermeiren in the interview “From a bold idea to a thriving biotech: a conversation with the CEO of Argenx”, in which he reflected on the perseverance and long-term vision required to build a successful biotech company.

With Karen Massey now taking over as CEO, argenx enters its next chapter focused on continued international growth, pipeline expansion, and delivering innovative therapies to patients worldwide.