Merck’s former global oncology head Frank Clyburn, who is currently president of human health, Merck’s unit responsible for worldwide marketing of medicines, will be leaving the company on Feb. 1.

He is leaving the industry to become CEO of International Flavors & Fragrances, which manufactures additives used in the food, beverage, personal care and household products industries.

Clyburn, who joined Merck in 2008, was considered a potential successor to the company’s former president and CEO Kenneth Frazier, before Robert Davis took the reins last year.