Phase II readouts will inform De Backer’s choices as she succeeds Scangos at Vir

As George Scangos retires from Vir, incoming CEO Marianne De Backer will arrive ahead of three Phase II readouts that will help determine how the infectious disease company puts its large cash reserves to work in the coming years.

Vir Biotechnology Inc. (NASDAQ:VIR) said Wednesday that De Backer, now an executive at Bayer AG (Xetra:BAYN), will succeed Scangos in the CEO role on April 3. At Bayer, De Backer is an EVP and head of pharmaceuticals strategy, business development and licensing/open innovation, as well as a member of the pharma’s executive committee...