KENILWORTH, N.J., March 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Schering-Plough Corporation today announced that it is intensifying its focus on key regions and countries through a number of strategic actions in the company's Global Pharmaceutical Business. The changes are part of the company's six- to eight-year Action Agenda to transform Schering-Plough into a global high performance competitor for the long-term. These changes come as the company works to deliver the 12- to 18-month Turnaround Phase that began in October 2005.
Schering-Plough has restructured its Europe-based regional organization (EUCAN) into two separate areas to increase its focus on the important and increasingly complex pharmaceutical marketplaces of Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, Canada, the Middle East and Africa. Likewise, the former Latin America/Far East Region has been divided into two separate organizations as Latin America and the renamed Asia-Pacific Region.
"These changes allow us to focus even more effectively on the needs of our customers in different markets, to better manage and drive growth and to build a competitive edge through innovation, speed and flexibility," said Fred Hassan, chairman and chief executive officer, Schering-Plough Corporation.
Key organizational and management changes: EUCAN Regions I and II
Apet Iskenderian continues in his current position as president, EUCAN Region, for the Global Pharmaceutical Business, encompassing the two new EUCAN Regions I and II. He will continue to be based in the United Kingdom and is a member of the company's Operations Management Team (OMT). Iskenderian reports to Carrie Cox, executive vice president, Schering-Plough, and president, Global Pharmaceutical Business.
Francesco Granata, M.D., has been appointed group vice president, EUCAN Region I. This region covers Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Granata joined Schering-Plough from Pfizer, Inc., where he served as president, Africa and Middle East Region from April 2003, and since January 2004 as president, Northern Europe Region, responsible for the Nordic and Benelux countries. He also served in positions of increasing responsibility with Dow Chemical, Glaxo and Dompe Biotec, before joining Pharmacia and Upjohn as managing director and president of its marketing company in Italy. He holds a degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Pavia, Italy. Granata, a member of the OMT, is based in Kenilworth, reporting to Iskenderian.
Bruno Strigini, Pharm.D., has been appointed group vice president, EUCAN Region II. This region encompasses Austria, Belgium, Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, as well as Central and Eastern Europe and Middle East and Africa. Strigini joined Schering-Plough from UCB-CellTech in Brussels, where he served as president, international operations. Prior to that he was in charge of the UCB Japan/Asia-Pacific Region, and head of global marketing, business development and strategy. He also held positions of increasing responsibility with SmithKline Beecham in the UK and New Zealand, and the Fournier Group in Europe. He holds a master of science in Microbiology from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK, a doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Montpellier, France, and a master of business administration from the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), Lausanne, Switzerland. Strigini is a member of the OMT and is based in Kenilworth, reporting to Iskenderian.
Gilles Picard has been appointed vice president and general manager for Schering-Plough France, reporting to Granata. Most recently, Picard was vice president of the company's country operations in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland. He joined Schering-Plough in 1993 as business unit director in France for Animal Health, and has held positions of increasing responsibility in marketing and general management in the United States and Europe. He holds a doctor of veterinary degree from the National Veterinary School of Lyons, France.
Latin America Region and Asia-Pacific Region
Pierre Verstraete has been appointed group vice president and president, Latin America Region. Formerly senior vice president and general manager for Schering-Plough France, Verstraete has served as vice president and general manager for Spain and was vice president of marketing in the United States. He began his career in the pharmaceutical industry in Latin America with Ciba- Geigy in Bogota, Colombia, joining Schering-Plough in 1986 as general manager for Venezuela then to Mexico as general manager in 1988. He is based in Kenilworth and is a member of the OMT, reporting directly to Cox. Verstraete is replaced in France by Gilles Picard, who has been appointed vice president and general manager for Schering-Plough France.
Alfredo M. Blanco, former president of the Latin America and Far East Regions, retired at the end of 2005 following a 13-year career with Schering- Plough and a 50-year career in the pharmaceutical industry. While at Schering-Plough, Blanco dramatically grew the pharmaceutical business across many countries and continents, serving as a key member of the team helping to build Schering-Plough internationally.
Rodney W. Unsworth has been appointed group vice president and president for the Asia-Pacific Region (excluding Japan), formerly called the Far East Region. Based in Sydney, Australia, Unsworth remains a member of the OMT. Previously, he was actively involved in assisting medical research-based companies in Australia to commercialize innovation. Prior to these activities, Unsworth served as regional president, Asia-Pacific for Pharmacia Corporation. He reports directly to Cox.
Japan
Schering-Plough's country operation in Japan continues under the leadership of Masao (Mark) Torii, president, who is based in Osaka and Tokyo. Torii, who continues to report to Cox, joins the OMT. As previously announced by the company last year, Tony Alvarez has been appointed to the newly created position of vice president, Commercial Operations, for the company in Japan, reporting to Torii. In this role, Alvarez will be responsible for commercial activities supporting the global pharmaceutical business in Japan, where he will be based.
Schering-Plough is a global science-based health care company with leading prescription, consumer and animal health products. Through internal research and collaborations with partners, Schering-Plough discovers, develops, manufactures and markets advanced drug therapies to meet important medical needs. Schering-Plough's vision is to earn the trust of the physicians, patients and customers served by its more than 32,000 people around the world. The company is based in Kenilworth, N.J., and its Web site is www.schering- plough.com.
Schering-Plough CorporationCONTACT: Media Contact: Gail Thornton, +1-908-298-5313, Steve Galpin,+1-908-298-7415; Investor Contact: Alex Kelly, +1-908-298-7436
Web site: http://www.schering-plough.com/
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