Birk named as Bavarian Nordic COO

Bavarian Nordic A/S announced the appointment of Henrik Birk this week as the company’s new chief operating officer (COO).

Bavarian Nordic is a fully integrated biotechnology company that focuses on the manufacturing and commercialization of cancer immunotherapies and vaccines for infectious diseases.

The company said Birk will help lead the execution of Bavarian Nordic’s operational and human resources strategies. Dirk will now report directly to the company’s CEO, Paul Chaplin.

“I take great pleasure in announcing Henrik’s appointment to executive management,” Chaplin said. “Having worked with him for nearly nine years I am confident that in this new role he will continue to thrive, and the company, our employees, and our partners, will benefit immensely from his leadership.”

Prior to joining the company in 2008, Birk worked in various managerial positions at the medical device company Coloplast, focusing exclusively on supply chain and production. Since joining Bavarian Nordic, Birk served as senior vice president of strategy, people and organization before his new appointment.

Birk holds a MBA from the University of Reading’s Henley Business School.

The company’s executive management team is now comprised of Birk, Chaplin, and Executive Vice President and CFO Ole Larsen.