EMD Serono announced that Miguel Fernández Alcalde has been appointed Head of Global Commercial Strategy. Monia Vial is appointed President of EMD Serono, Head of North America, succeeding Fernández Alcalde.
"Miguel has consistently demonstrated the vision, agility, and commitment to patients that this role demands, across geographies, business functions, and every level of leadership. He is exceptionally well positioned to shape our global commercial strategy for the future," said Danny Bar-Zohar, CEO Healthcare and Member of the Executive Board of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. “Looking ahead, Monia brings to our company deep leadership experience in the United States, along with invaluable international perspective and cultural fluency. Over the last eight years, she has built a rare disease franchise from the ground up, delivering outstanding results across multiple brands, indications, and product launches.”
Fernández Alcalde succeeds Andrew Paterson, who has made the decision to retire after 31 years with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.
Previously, Fernández Alcalde served as President of EMD Serono, Head of North America. He also served as Chief Operating Officer of EMD Serono; Head of Global Business Excellence & Innovation; and as General Manager of Finland and Spain for Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. His experience gives him a uniquely broad perspective across commercial, operational, and strategic functions, ideally positioning him to lead Global Commercial Strategy.
Fernández Alcalde joined the company in 2014. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy from the University Complutense in Madrid, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alcalá de Henares, and a Master’s Degree in Management from IESE Business School.
“Global Commercial Strategy is at the heart of how we bring our science to patients, and together with our teams across geographies, we will continue to drive growth, accelerate our portfolio, and deliver meaningful outcomes for the patients who depend on us,” said Fernández Alcalde.
Vial joins EMD Serono from Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, where she most recently served as Senior Vice President and Head of the U.S. Rare Disease Business Unit. Her more than 20-year career spans the full arc of pharmaceutical leadership: in-country P&L, global brand strategy, rare disease, oncology, hematology, and business development, with leadership experience across product launches, lifecycle management, pipeline development, and asset acquisition.
Vial began her career in consultancy before moving into the pharmaceutical industry, where she held roles of increasing responsibility at AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Shire Pharmaceuticals. She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from the University of Pharmacy, Paris, and a Master’s Degree in Marketing from HEC Paris.
"Joining EMD Serono at this moment is an incredibly unique opportunity,” said Vial. “The company is going through a genuinely exciting transformation, and the portfolio and pipeline create tremendous possibilities for patients. I look forward to meeting the teams across the U.S. and Canada, learning from them, and delivering significant impact for patients together.”
Fernández Alcalde and Vial will be based in Boston, U.S. Both will serve as members of the Healthcare Executive Committee.
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