Drug maker Cipla has appointed Mr Frank Pieters as head of its European region and global respiratory business. The appointment comes into effect this month.

Mr Pieters was earlier with Israeli drug-maker Teva as its Senior Vice-President for the Southern Europe region, and comes with over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

He has a background in respiratory medicine, having been involved with accelerating the growth of Teva’s respiratory business globally. He has also been Senior Vice-President Global Biogenerics and Global Respiratory Commercial Business for Teva since 2009, Cipla said.

Commenting on Mr Pieters’ expertise in the respiratory segment, Dr Yusuf K Hamied, Cipla’s Chairman and Managing Director, said: “… With him (Mr Pieters) at the helm, Cipla would like to capture the huge commercial upside of 30 years experience in Cipla’s respiratory medicine; both in emerging and regulated markets.”

Senior appointments

Further, Dr Hamied pointed out: “This appointment signals Cipla’s strengthening of senior management positions and also illustrates Cipla’s desire for senior on-ground talent in overseas markets to build its product portfolio and brand. Apart from global respiratory business, Frank will also spearhead the generics and value-added product portfolio across the European region through strategic alliances.”

Another Teva-man

A little over a month ago, Sun Pharma had appointed another Teva man, Mr Israel Makov as Chairman of its board of directors. Mr Makov was the former President and Chief Executive of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries between 2002 and 2007.

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