Illumina on Sunday announced its board of directors has accepted the resignation of CEO Francis deSouza, just weeks after activist investor Carl Icahn failed to oust him from the biotech company.
"It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve Illumina," deSouza said in the release.
Similarly, in an open letter to Illumina shareholders in April, Icahn accused deSouza of "desperately, hilariously and, most of all, unsuccessfully" trying to spin "decidedly mediocre" quarterly results during a press tour.
In late May, Icahn had urged shareholders to vote off deSouza and Chairman John Thompson from the nine-member board.
Shareholders booted Thompson, but deSouza held onto his role until Sunday.
Persons:
Francis deSouza, Illumina, Carl Icahn, Charles Dadswell, Illumina's, DeSouza's, deSouza, Icahn, John Thompson, Thompson
Organizations:
Illumina Inc, Economic, Sunday
Locations:
Davos, Switzerland, Illumina