Executive Committee

Steffen Saltofte

CEO

MBA, IMD International, Lausanne, Switzerland

Bachelor, International Business & Economic and Strategic Market Management, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark

Professional background

  • 2017-17

    Chief Operating Officer, EVP Global Commercial Operations at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health in France and Germany

  • 2014-17

    Chief Operating Officer, Senior Vice President and Head Business Operations at Merial (Sanofi-group) in France

  • 2011-14

    Managing Director Nordic at Syngenta in Switzerland

  • 2009-11

    Integration Manager, Merger & Acquisitions at Syngenta in Switzerland

  • 2006-07

    General Manager at Maersk Line in Denmark

  • 2004-06

    Manager at Maersk Sealand in Denmark

  • 1999-03

    Branch Manager at Maersk Sealand in Saudi Arabia

Gary Hughes

CFO

Honours Degree in Law of Leeds University, UK

Professional background

  • 2017-18

    Interim Chief Financial Officer at Solifos AG in Windisch, Switzerland

  • 2016-17

    Chief Financial Officer at Equatex AG in Zurich, Switzerland

  • 2013-16

    Chief Financial Officer at Selecta Management AG in Cham, Switzerland

  • 2008-13

    Group Financial Controller at Selecta Management AG in Cham, Switzerland

  • 2004-08

    Head of Financial Reporting and Accounting at Ciba Vision AG in Embrach, Switzerland

  • 2001-04

    Senior Manager, Assurance Services at Ernst & Young in Manchester, UK and Zurich, Switzerland

  • 1999-01

    Financial Reporting Lecturer at Accountancy Tuition Centres in Manchester, UK

  • 1994-99

    Supervisor Assurance Services at Ernst & Young in Manchester, UK

Andrew Bird

Head of Region - Middle East, Turkey and Africa

MBA, Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield

PhD in Organic Chemistry, University of York, York

BSc (Hons) Chemistry, University of East Anglia, Norwich

Professional background

  • 2017-18

    General Manager Gulf, Eastern Mediterranean & Maghreb Region, Dubai

  • 2011-17

    Strategy & Operations Director Middle East, Africa & India

  • 2016-17

    General Manager Maghreb Region at Bristol-Myers Squibb

  • 2013-14

    General Manager South Africa at Bristol-Myers Squibb

  • 2011-11

    Business Director at Pase II Gulf, Dubai

  • 2009-10

    Regional Marketing Director Africa & Middle East (AfME)

  • 2008-09

    Senior European brand Manager at Pfizer

  • 1999-07

    Sales & Marketing roles at Janssen-Cilag Ltd. Uk & Ireland

  • 1997-98

    Medicinal Chemist at Cerebrus Ltd.

  • 1996-97

    Research Chemist at Glaxowellcome

  • 1995-96

    Production Manager at Croda International

Eugene Zaika

Head of Region - Ukraine and CIS

DBA degree (ongoing), International Management Institute (IMI-Kyiv)

MBA, International Management Institute (IMI-Kyiv)

PhD in cardiology, Research Institute of Therapy (Academy of Medical Science of Ukraine)

MD, Kharkiv Medical Institute, honors

Professional background

  • 2011-15

    Takeda Cluster Head for Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and Israel / General Director LLC Takeda Ukraine

  • 2008-11

    General Director, LLC Nycomed Ukraine

  • 2005-08

    Head of Represenative office of Nycomed in Ukraine and Moldova

  • 2005-05

    Marketing Manager, Sanofi-Aventis Ukraine and Moldova

  • 2000-04

    Marketing Manager, Aventis Intercontinental (Ukraine)

  • 1998-00

    East Ukraine Area Manager, Rhone-Poulenc Rorer (Ukraine)

  • 1994-97

    Medical representative, Rhone-Poulenc Rorer (Ukraine)

  • 1993-97

    Cardiologist, scientific associate in the department of clinical pharmacology, Research Institute of Therapy (Kharkiv)

Steve Mahoney

Head of Region - English-Speaking Africa, Latin America and Russia

M.B.A, Rutgers Business School, New Jersey

B.A., Business Administration, Rutgers University, New Jersey

Professional background

  • 2017-19

    Vice President, Head of MetAsia Region, Boehringer-Ingelheim (formerly Merial)

  • 2014-16

    Vice President, Head of Asia Region, Merial Asia

  • 2013-15

    Head of Large Animals, Merial US

  • 2008-13

    Chief Information Officer, Merial

  • 2005-08

    Head of Global Supply Chain and Procurement, Merial

  • 2001-05

    Head of Companion Animals Enterprise, Asia Pacific and Latin America Regions, Merial

  • 2000-01

    Senior Director of Global E-business, Merial

  • 1997-00

    Associate Director, Business Administration, Merial Australia

Mario Ricard

Chief Operations Officer

Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science – Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sherbrooke in Canada.

Professional background

  • 2015-17

    Vice President – Plasma Manufacturing Europe at Baxalta/Shire, Zurich

  • 2014-15

    Vice President – Operations Strategy at Baxter, Zurich

  • 2012-14

    Vice President – Technical Services and BioSurgery Manufacturing at Baxter, Belgium and Switzerland

  • 2010-12

    Operations Director at Baxter, Belgium

  • 2003-10

    Plant Manager at Baxter, Belgium

  • 1999-03

    Plant Manager at Baxter, Canada

  • 1992-99

    Various roles in Production, Purchasing and Planning at Baxter, Canada

Peter Overgaard

Chief Human Resources Officer

Master of business administration, Henley College, UK

Master of Sciences in economics, Copenhagen Business School

BSc in business administration, Copenhagen Business School

Professional background

  • 2018-19

    Head of HR, Europe, Roivant Sciences

  • 2017-18

    Global Head of HR, Technical Functions, Novartis

  • 2013-17

    Head of HR and Training, Chemical Operations, Novartis

  • 2010-13

    Global HR Head, Technical Operations, Quality and Finance, IT and Procurement, Novartis Animal Health Division

  • 2007-10

    Senior Global HR Director, Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research

  • 2005-07

    HR Cluster Head, Nordic, UK & Ireland, Sandoz

  • 2002-04

    Head HR New York Site, UL Inc

  • 1999-02

    Head of HR, Denmark and Sweden, UL A/S

  • 1997-99

    HR Manager, DEMKO A/S

Other members of Senior Management

Jens Feierler

Head of Corporate Quality Assurance

Approbation as Pharmacist (State Examination), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany

PhD in Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany

Professional background

  • 2017-19

    Head of Quality Assurance / Qualified Person, Acino AG, Miesbach, Germany

  • 2014-17

    Laboratory Head / Manager Quality Control, Daiichi-Sankyo Europe GmbH, Pfaffenhofen, Germany

  • 2012-14

    Trainee (Quality Control & Production), Daiichi-Sankyo Europe GmbH, Pfaffenhofen, Germany

  • 2007-12

    Research Associate, Department for Clinical Chemistry & Clinical Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany

Eva Kopecna

Head of Global Regulatory Affairs, Medical and Pharmacovigilance

MD University of Palacky, CZ

MSc in Regulatory Affairs University of Wales, UK

PhD in Clinical and Social Pharmacy Charles University, CZ

Professional background

  • 2019-20

    Head of Regulatory Affairs, Zentiva, Prague

  • 2012-18

    Senior Director Regulatory Affairs Global OTC, PGT Healthcare, Geneva

  • 2004-12

    Regulatory Affairs Director, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Opava, Czech Republic

Christina Peusch

Chief Legal & Compliance Officer

German qualified lawyer, University of Passau, Passau, Germany

Professional background

  • 2013-15

    Head of Legal EUCAN (Europe/Canada), Emerging Markets and North Asia, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International GmbH, Zurich

  • 2012-13

    Senior Director Corporate Legal Affairs, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International GmbH, Zurich

  • 2010-12

    Senior Director International Legal Affairs, Nycomed Germany Holding GmbH, Konstanz, Germany

  • 2007-09

    Director International Legal Affairs, Nycomed Germany Holding GmbH, Konstanz, Germany

  • 2004-07

    International Legal Affairs Manager, Altana Pharma AG, Konstanz, Germany

  • 1995-04

    Clifford Chance (prev. Pünder, Volhard, Weber & Axster), member of the Commercial Law and Corporate Finance practice areas and (chief) representative of the Beijing office; Frankfurt am Main and Munich, Germany, and Beijing, PRC.

Philippe Seminati

Head of Global Supply Chain

Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering – University of Metz, France.

Professional background

  • 2016-18

    Freelance Supply Chain Consultant, accross Europe

  • 2012-16

    Director Corporate Supply Chain, Aenova Group, Germany

  • 2010-12

    Senior Supply Chain Consultant, BeOne Group, Switzerland

  • 2010-10

    Freelance Supply Chain Consultant, GSK, Belgium

  • 2009-10

    Freelance Supply Chain Consultant, across Europe

  • 2008-09

    Head of Supply Chain – Johnson Control Automotive, Germany

  • 2002-08

    Logistics, Supplier & Parts Manager – Smart France SAS (Daimler Group), France

Sara Vermeulen-Anastasi

Head of Corporate Communications

CSR-P Practitioner Certification (endorsed by CMI)

MBA, Open Business School, Open University UK

Head of Corporate Communications and member of Group Management since November 2018

Professional background

  • 2014-18

    Corporate Head of Marketing and Communications, Panalpina Ltd.

  • 2012-14

    Vice President Marketing Communications, Leica Geosystems

  • 2008-12

    Director Marketing & Communications, Europe, Africa & Asia, ADM

  • 2006-08

    Communications Manager, Firmenich

  • 2000-06

    Corporate Communications Manager, Givaudan

  • 1999-99

    Marketing Manager, Supplies EAME, CHS Electronics

  • 1995-98

    Marketing Communications Program Manager, Hewlett Packard

Laura Galimberti

Head of Commercial Operations

MBA SDA Bocconi

Master Degree in Telecommunication Engineering

Professional background

  • 2015-17

    Global Head of Commercial Excellence, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health in Germany

  • 2011-15

    Italy Office Manager, ZS Associates in Italy

  • 2008-09

    Business Consulting Manager, Cap Gemini in Italy

  • 2005-08

    Senior Consultant, Ernst & Young in France

  • 2003-05

    Business Consultant, Accenture in Italy

Martin Sandgap

Global Head of Transformation

Bachelor, Business & Administration, University of Lund, Sweden

Professional background

  • 2014-18

    Head of BEADS (Business Evaluation & Deal Structuring) at Acino International AG in Switzerland

  • 2012-13

    Director Global Marketing - Commercial Assessment External Opportunities at Takeda Pharmaceuticals in Switzerland & USA

  • 2011-12

    Associate Director Global BD - Business Evaluation and Deal Structuring at Takeda Pharmaceuticals in Switzerland

  • 2010-11

    Associate Director Global BD - Business Evaluation and Deal Structuring at Nycomed in Switzerland

  • 2008-10

    Senior Manager Global BD - Business Evaluation and Deal Structuring at Nycomed in Denmark

  • 2005-08

    International Product Manager at Nycomed AS in Denmark

  • 2001-05

    Nordic Product Manager at Nordic Drugs AB in Sweden

  • 1997-01

    Scandinavian Product Manager at UCB Pharma AB in Sweden

  • 1996-98

    Sales Rep at UCB Pharma AB in Sweden

Ralph Halter

Global Head of IT

BSc Marketing, University of Applied Science FHNW Basel

Professional background

  • 2009-19

    Corporate Head of IT Strategy and Planning, Panalpina, Basel

  • 2003-05

    Head of IT Competence Center Latin America, Panalpina, Brazil

  • 1995-03

    Head of Corporate Data Center, Panalpina Basel

  • 1993-95

    Senior Data Administrator Retail, Ikea, Southern Europe, Basel

  • 1990-92

    Product Manager, Fides Informatik, Basel

John Norman

Regional Director, English Speaking Africa

Bachelor of Commerce Majored in Marketing & Economics

Professional background

  • 2017-18

    General Manager Litha Healthcare, South Africa

  • 2014-17

    Managing Director Africa at Takeda

  • 2007-14

    CEO Takeda South Africa, Sub Saharan Africa & Indian Ocean Islands

  • 1999-08

    Marketing & Sales Director Janssen- Cilag Pharmaceuticals, South Africa

  • 1998-99

    Business Unit Manager Janssen-Cilag Consumer Pharmaceuticals, South Africa

  • 1993-98

    Regional Sales Manager Jannsen-Cilag Pharmaceuticals, South Africa

  • 1991-93

    Product Manager Adcock Ingram Pharmaceuticals, South Africa

  • 1988-91

    Product Manager J&J Medical, South Africa

  • 1987-88

    Professional Sales Representative J&J Medical, South Africa

Denis Glyadyaev

General Manager, Russia

The Russian State Social University. Finance

Professional background

  • 2017-18

    OTC Business Unit Director Russia at Akrikhin/Polpharma, Moscow

  • 2015-17

    Sales and Business Development Director Russia and Belarus at Kimberly-Clark, Moscow

  • 2013-15

    Regional Director of Caucasus countries at Kimberly-Clark, Baku

  • 2010-13

    Head of Marketing for Baby Child Care and Family Care at Kimberly-Clark, Moscow

  • 2008-13

    Head of Trade Marketing for Family Care & Baby Child Care businesses at Kimberly-Clark, Moscow

  • 2006-08

    Regional Trade Marketing Leader Russia and CIS at Dirol Cadbury LLC, Moscow

  • 2004-06

    Head of Trade Marketing at EFKO Foods, Russia

  • 1998-04

    Various roles in sales in Russian companies

  • 1997-98

    Credit Expert at 'SBS - AGRO' Bank, Moscow

Jim Harold

General Manager, Latin America

Bachelor of Science in Physiology from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne

 

 

Professional background

  • 2015-19

    President and Head of Middle East and North Africa, Novartis Pharma Services AG

  • 2011-15

    Head of Novartis Vaccines Latin America, Novartis Argentina

  • 2003-11

    CEO and Country President, Novartis Argentina

  • 2001-03

    VP Transplant and Immunology Business Unit, Novartis USA

  • 2000-01

    CEO and Country President, Novartis Chile

  • 1998-99

    Head of Sales and Marketing Region Americas, Novartis Brazil

  • 1997-98

    Head of Specialty Business Unit, Novartis Argentina

  • 1994-96

    Head of Sales and Marketing Argentina, Sandoz

  • 1991-94

    General Manager West Africa, Sandoz

Board of Directors

John Beighton

Chairman of the Board

BSc. In Biochemistry, University of Manchester, England

Board membership and executive mandates within the Acino Group

  • Chairman of the Board of Acino International AG since 26 March 2019
  • Current term of office expires in 2021

Professional background

John Beighton previously served as interim Chief Executive Officer and Advisory Board Member for Zentiva. John has over 37 years’ experience in the healthcare industry and extensive knowledge in generics. He started his career with Smithkline Beecham holding increasing senior management positions. As the former Chief Executive Officer for Mercury Pharma, he successfully led the merger with Amdipharm to create AMCo, and more recently ensured a smooth transition of AMCo when it was acquired by Concordia.

Raj Shah

Vice-Chairman of the Board

FRCSI, Oxford Fellow Royal College of Surgeon
MBBS, Imperial College London
MBA, London Business School

Board membership and executive mandates within the Acino Group

  • Vice-Chairman of the Board of Acino International AG since November 26, 2020
  • Current term of office expires in 2021

Professional background

Raj is the partner and Head of Healthcare at Nordic Capital Advisory and has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Raj holds several non-executive positions including the boards of ERT, ArisGlobal, Alloheim and Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity.

Prior to joining, Raj’s healthcare experience spans both working as a practitioner, having initially qualified and practiced as a cardiac surgeon at Oxford, through to extensive transactional experience gained as Co-Head of Goldman Sachs healthcare investment banking practice where he advised private equity and corporate clients.

Tom Dean

BA, University of Virginia, USA; MBA, Harvard Business School, USA

Board membership and executive mandates within the Acino Group

  • Member of the Board of Acino International AG since
    December 17, 2013
  • Current term of office expires in 2021

Professional background

Tom Dean is the Co-Managing Partner and Co-CEO of Avista Capital Partners. Prior to co-founding Avista Capital Partners in 2005, Mr. Dean led DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (“DLJMB”), serving as Co-Managing Partner of DLJMB since 1995 and Chairman of the Investment Committees of DLJMB I, DLJMB II, DLJMB III and DLJ Growth Capital Partners through December 2007. Mr. Dean currently serves on the boards of ConvaTec, Sidewinder Drilling, Zest Anchors, and VWR International. Mr. Dean formerly served as the Chairman of the board of Nycomed, Arcade, DeCrane Aircraft, Mueller and Von Hoffmann. He also formerly served on the boards of American Ref-Fuel, Argyle Television, BioPartners, Charles River Labs, Evergreen Media, Merrill, Safilo, Visant and IWCO Direct Holdings, among others.

Thomas Vetander

M.Sc. in Engineering Physics, Royal Institute of Technology of Stockholm, Sweden
B.Sc. in Business Administration and Economics, Stockholm University School of Business, Sweden

Board membership and executive mandates within the Acino Group

  • Member of the Board of Acino International AG since December 17, 2013
  • Current term of office expires in 2021

Professional background

Thomas Vetander joined NC Advisory AB, advisor to the Nordic Capital funds, in 2006. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Vetander worked as a Management Consultant at McKinsey & Company in Stockholm.

Alex Yu

B.A., Northwestern University, USA, MBA, Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, USA

Board membership and executive mandates within the Acino Group

  • Member of the Board of Acino International AG since October 19, 2017
  • Current term of office on the Board expires in 2021

Professional background

Alex Yu joined Avista Capital Partners in 2017. Mr. Yu is a Vice President at Avista Capital Partners. He joined Avista Capital Partners in 2017. Prior to joining Avista, Mr. Yu worked in the Private Equity Group at Goldman Sachs. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, he worked as an Associate at Fenway Partners and as an Analyst in the Technology Group at Lehman Brothers and Barclays Capital. He currently serves on the boards of Inform Diagnostics and Trimb Healthcare.