Regeneron founders plan to assume additional roles

The founders of Tarrytown-based Regeneron, Leonard Schleifer and George Yancopoulos, are expected to become co-chairs of the company’s Board of Directors after the company’s annual meeting on June 9. P. Roy Vagelos, who is the current board chairman, has decided not to stand for reelection and will complete his tenure as chair at the conclusion of the annual meeting.

“I have had the privilege of serving as chair for nearly three decades and watched with pride as Regeneron has been transformed from a small biotechnology company with big ideas into a successful research-based biopharmaceutical company,” Vagelos said. He formerly was president, CEO and board chairman at pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co.

Yancopoulos recalled that in 1975 his father showed him an article in a Greek newspaper about  Vagelos.

“Since becoming our chair in 1995, Roy has remained my hero and role model,” Yancopoulos said. “We will continue to strive to live up to the standard Roy has set of using science to change the practice of medicine and improve lives.”