Merck Serono appoints two executive management team members

Merck Serono has announced the addition of Dr Belen Garijo and Dr Annalisa Jenkins to new roles on its executive management team.

Dr Garijo is joining the company as its new chief operating officer from her former role as European senior vice-president at Sanofi, effective as of September 1st 2011.

Meanwhile, Dr Jenkins will leave her position of senior vice-president for worldwide medical affairs at Bristol-Myers Squibb to become Merck Serono's global head of drug development and medical operations from September 5th.

Both roles have been newly created as part of a wider managerial restructuring that will aid the company's ability to cope with changing industry conditions.

"Belen and Annalisa will bring extensive international experience in the pharmaceutical industry to lead and drive our organisation through changes aimed to ensure sustained success," said group president Dr Stefan Oschmann.

Earlier this week, the company announced that it will be offering grant funding to a number of international research programmes focusing on the area of fertility.