Oscar Ferenczi joins Grünenthal from Sandoz

Grünenthal has appointed former region head of Sandoz Latin America Oscar Ferenczi to lead its own Latin America business.

Ferenczi will assume the role of executive VP for Grünenthal Latin America and will also take over as general manger Grünenthal Panama, where the company's regional head office is, and as general manager Grünenthal Latin America, Miami.

He will be based in Miami, Florida, and will report directly to Grünenthal's CEO Dr Harald Stock.

The appointment is a signal of intent for the German pharma company's plans to expand in the emerging Latin America market, which has included the acquisition of Brazilian firm Selfarma and an agreement with US-based Horizon Pharma for the commercialisation of the anti-inflammatory drug Duexis in Latin America.

Ferenczi has years of experience in the market, including nearly four years in his position at Sandoz.

Prior to this period, he spent more than at decade at Merck & Co in the region, including spells as general manager Ecuador, general manager Peru, general manager Chile, and VP and general manager Brazil.

“Strengthening our businesses in Latin America is one of our core strategic objectives as we are aiming to generate 40 percent of Grünenthal's commercial business from the region in 2015,” said CEO Stock.

“I am glad that Oscar has decided to lead the group's strategic business unit with its ambitious, dedicated, and passionate people."