Merial receives new executive vice-president

Merial has announced that Carsten Hellman is taking over as executive vice-president of the company.

The animal health firm's parent company Sanofi has appointed Mr Hellman as a new member of its executive committee, following current Merial head Jose Barella's decision to leave the business to pursue new opportunities.

Mr Hellman is the former executive vice-president for global sales at Chr Hansen – a global biopharmaceutical company – and has developed a strong reputation for building successful businesses.

He joins Merial at a time when the firm is striving to tap into the significant opportunities available in the production animal sector and emerging markets.

Christopher Viehbacher, chief executive officer of Sanofi, said: "I am confident that with his expertise across the value chain from research and development, industrial affairs and through to business development and commercial sales, he will accelerate the growth of this promising division."

Merial commands a global total market share of over 14 percent, operating in more than 150 countries worldwide.