Bayer Healthcare named Novartis COO Jörg Reinhardt chairman of its Bayer HealthCare AG Board of Management and Bayer Healthcare Executive Committee. The company said Bayer HealthCare CEO Arthur Higgins is leaving the company as of April 30 “at his own request.” Board of Management member and designated chairman Dr. Marijn Dekkers will head the company until Dr. Reinhardt takes over in August. Reinhardt joined Novartis predecessor Sandoz in 1982 and held various roles in development until he was named to head Novartis’ vaccines division in 2008. He became COO of the company in 2008.