Roche appoints new head of applied science

Roche has announced the appointment of Dan Zabrowski as its new head of applied science as part of a number of changes to its executive committee.

Mr Zabrowski is leaving his position as head of partnering for the healthcare and life science firm to take up this new role in the diagnostics division at the start of February 2012, reporting to Roche Diagnostics chief operating officer Daniel O'Day.

He will be succeeded in his previous role by Sophie Kornowski-Bonnet, the current general manager of Roche Pharma in France, who will be joining the newly expanded corporate executive committee on the same day.

Roche's chief executive officer Severin Schwan expressed confidence that both new appointments will succeed in their revised roles.

"As head of applied science, Dan will be key for driving this strategically important business with our customers in academia, biotech and pharmaceutical industries," he said.

According to data from the company's most recent financial report, Roche saw growth of its diagnostics division outpace the market in the third quarter of 2011, thanks in part to the launch of 17 products in key markets.