FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - The head of Bayer's over-the-counter medicines division, which may soon be up for sale, is leaving unexpectedly. Heiko Schipper has asked the Supervisory Board to terminate his contract early in order to continue his career outside Bayer, the agrochemical and pharmaceutical company announced on Thursday afternoon. Schipper (54) will leave the company on April 30, 2024. His successor will be 58-year-old Julio Triana, who was appointed to the Bayer Board of Management on April 1 and will head the Consumer Health division from May.

Triana joined Bayer in 2002 and is currently still responsible for the commercial international business of the Pharmaceuticals division. The announcement of the change comes a few days before an important capital market day at Bayer: Bill Anderson, who has been CEO since June, will present his plans for the future of the company on March 5./mis/he