Former Bausch + Lomb CEO returns to lead company (updated)

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Bausch + Lomb Corp. named Brent Saunders as chief executive officer and chair of the board of directors, effective March 6. Saunders succeeds Joseph Papa, who announced in July 2022 that he would step down. 

Additionally, Thomas Ross Sr., who was appointed board chair last summer, will become the lead independent director of the board for the eye health company. 

Having previously served as Bausch + Lomb CEO from 2010 to 2013, Saunders will rejoin the company Feb. 16 in an advisory capacity to ensure a smooth transition, the company said. 

“We are delighted that the Board’s thorough search process has concluded with the appointment of Brent Saunders as Bausch + Lomb’s next CEO,” Ross said in a statement. “His strong inner-working knowledge of the Company and unparalleled executive leadership experience in health care make him the ideal person to lead Bausch + Lomb at this pivotal time in our 170-year history.” 

Ross also thanked Papa for his “leadership, ethical values and commitment” to Bausch + Lomb, which is headquartered in Ontario and has corporate offices in Bridgewater. 

Saunders brings more than 25 years of health care industry leadership to the role. In addition to his time at Bausch + Lomb, he also worked for Schering-Plough Corp., Forest Laboratories Inc., Actavis plc, Allergan plc and The Beauty Health Co. 

A representative from The Beauty Health Co. told NJBIZ that Saunders will maintain his role as chairman of the board at Beauty Health.

“I am honored to once again lead Bausch + Lomb during this exciting time as a new publicly traded company,” Saunders said. “I am confident in our future, and I look forward to once again working alongside the more than 12,000 employees who live by and aspire to achieve the Bausch + Lomb mission of helping people see better to live better.” 

In May 2022, Bausch + Lomb – previously a subsidiary of Bausch Health Co. Inc. – launched as a publicly traded company and announced its leadership team, including Papa.

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 2:08 p.m. ET Feb. 15 to include additional information from The Beauty Health Co.