John Crowley will take the reins at BIO in March, about a year and a half after the departure of former CEO Michelle McMurry-Heath was announced.

Pfizer joined Novartis as the market leader in sickle cell disease when it acquired Global Blood Therapeutics last year. The US giant's Oxbryta may now move ahead following a clinical and regulatory setback for the Swiss major's Adakveo.

Michelle McMurry-Heath brought a science and regulatory background to the top post of the industry trade group in contrast to the political and lobbying focused careers of her predecessors. Her eventual successor may offer hints as to whether BIO thought that was a successful leadership strategy.

Pfizer has reached a deal to buy Global Blood Therapeutics for $5.4bn, gaining the sickle cell therapy Oxbryta and building on efforts to reach underserved patient groups.