Bristol-Myers interim CEO keen to move on

By Toni Clarke

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The interim chief executive of Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (BMY.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said on Wednesday he has no interest in remaining in the position and is eager for the company to find a permanent CEO.

James Cornelius said the drugmaker is considering "a handful" of candidates from inside the company and many from outside to replace Peter Dolan, who was ousted in September.

"Our search firm is looking all around the world," Cornelius said at the Reuters Health Summit in New York.

Cornelius said he will remain interim CEO of the New York-based company until a replacement can be found but wants to leave the position as soon as possible.

"I don't have to work for a living any more," he said. "It's at some personal sacrifice that I'm doing it."

Cornelius, former chairman of medical device maker Guidant and former chief financial officer of Eli Lilly and Co. (LLY.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), said in taking the job he had to renege on a promise to his wife, an artist, to spend time at their second home in Hawaii.

While she is not unhappy to be in New York for now, he said, he has told the search committee not to include his name on the list of potential future candidates, though he said he would be willing to return to the board.

For now, Cornelius said his priority is to help prepare a business plan for 2007 that the board will support and that investors will find acceptable.  Continued...