Valeant to replace CEO, adds activist investor to board

Embattled drug company Valeant Pharmaceuticals says it is looking for a new CEO and has added activist investor William Ackman to its board of directors.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. says current CEO J. Michael Pearson will stay until his replacement has been appointed. Pearson just returned from a two-month medical leave.

The Canadian company says Ackman is joining its board immediately. His Pershing Square Capital Management holds a 9 per cent stake in the drug company and already has another executive, Stephen Fraidin, on Valeant’s board.

Valeant shares fell below $26 shortly before markets opened Monday. The stock has plunged since reaching an all-time high price of $263.81 high last August.

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