---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-21-301194"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "ZTS"
cik: "0001555280"
company_name: "Zoetis Inc."
filed_at: "2021-10-18T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-28T20:17:13.154286+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.55
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Zoetis R&D chief Catherine Knupp to retire; Robert Polzer named successor effective Jan 1, 2022

## Summary
- Dr. Catherine Knupp will retire as EVP & President of R&D effective Dec 31, 2021.
- Robert J. Polzer, current SVP of Global Therapeutics, appointed EVP & President of R&D effective Jan 1, 2022.
- Polzer will report to CEO Kristin Peck and join the Zoetis Executive team.
- Knupp will remain as advisor through Feb 28, 2022 to assist with transition.
- Zoetis highlights over 1,100 new product introductions in the past five years under Knupp's leadership.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-21-301194
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: ZTS
- cik: 0001555280
- company_name: Zoetis Inc.
- filed_at: 2021-10-18T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.55
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 8.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1555280/000119312521301194/0001193125-21-301194-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1555280/000119312521301194/d467864d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-21-301194
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-21-301194.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-21-301194.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Robert J. Polzer was appointed as Executive Vice President and President of Research & Development at Zoetis Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Executive Vice President and President of Research & Development
  source text: the Company has appointed Robert J. Polzer, PhD, who currently serves as the Company’s Senior Vice President of Global Therapeutics, to succeed Dr. Knupp as the Company’s Executive Vice President and President of Research & Development, effective January 1, 2022
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1555280/000119312521301194/0001193125-21-301194-index.htm
- Executive change
  Catherine Knupp retired as Executive Vice President and President of Research & Development at Zoetis Inc..
  - Action: retired
  - Role: Executive Vice President and President of Research & Development
  source text: Dr. Catherine Knupp, DVM, MS, the Company’s Executive Vice President and President of Research & Development, has provided notice of her intention to retire from her position, effective December 31, 2021
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1555280/000119312521301194/0001193125-21-301194-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.