RIDGEFIELD, Conn.– Boehringer Ingelheim announced that its U.S. president and chief executive officer Paul Fonteyne will retire and Wolfgang Baiker has been appointed to succeed him, effective March 1.

The position will be based at the pharmaceutical company’s U.S. headquarters in Ridgefield.

“I am thrilled to return to the U.S. to lead this organization and to help us achieve our objectives of improving patients’ lives each and every day,” Baiker said in a statement. “I look forward to our continued scientific advancements and leading our diverse and dynamic U.S. organization.”

Baiker joined Boehringer Ingelheim in 1989 and has served in several leadership roles. He is currently a senior vice president and head of the Biopharma Business Unit. He worked in Ridgefield for seven years and held several roles within clinical development and clinical research. He has an MBA from Pace University in addition to completing medical studies and doctorate work at the universities of Bochum, Berlin, Ulm, Munich and Sheffield.

Fonteyne, who has served as U.S. CEO since 2012, will remain with the company through Dec. 31 and focus on leading the U.S. Animal Health business. He will oversee the integration following the company’s acquisition of Merial from Sanofi last year. Fonteyne will remain as chairman of the Boehringer Ingelheim USA Board.

“Wolfgang is a strong and experienced leader and our U.S. business is in a great position, poised for continued growth,” Fonteyne said. “Our industry and the U.S. market, in particular, is developing and changing at an incredible pace. Wolfgang has a unique ability to help the company anticipate and navigate this dynamic landscape.”

During his 15 years at Boehringer Ingelheim, Fonteyne oversaw a substantial increase in sales and the U.S. launch of Spiriva, the company’s bestselling product to date. Prior to becoming U.S. president and CEO, he spent three years as head of corporate marketing in Ingelheim, Germany, where he launched Pradaxa and Tradjenta.