Wyeth's Poussot to replace Essner as chairman

NEW YORK, April 24 (Reuters) - Drugmaker Wyeth (WYE.N) said on Thursday that Robert Essner would step down as its chairman on June 27 and be replaced by Bernard Poussot, who succeeded Essner as chief executive earlier this year.

The company said Essner, 60, had decided to retire.

Poussot was being groomed for the top spots since April 2006, when he was named president and vice chairman. He added the chief operating officer title in January of 2007 and became CEO on Jan. 1 of this year. (Reporting by Bill Berkrot)