Merck has announced a major leadership transition within its Healthcare business.

 

The global pharma powerhouse has appointed Miguel Fernández Alcalde as Head of Global Commercial Strategy and naming Monia Vial as President of EMD Serono and Head of North America.

 

The appointments come as Andrew Paterson, who has spent 31 years with the company, prepares to retire. Vial will succeed Fernández Alcalde in leading EMD Serono, the company’s Healthcare business in the United States and Canada.

 

"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. 

 

“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 steps into the global strategy role after serving as President of EMD Serono and Head of North America. Since joining Merck in 2014, he has held several senior leadership positions, including Chief Operating Officer of EMD Serono, Head of Global Business Excellence & Innovation, and General Manager for Finland and Spain.

 

His broad experience across commercial, operational and strategic functions is expected to support the company’s efforts to strengthen global growth and accelerate its healthcare portfolio.

 

“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.

 

Fernández Alcalde holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy from the University Complutense in Madrid, an MBA from the University of Alcalá de Henares, and a Master’s Degree in Management from IESE Business School.

 

Taking over leadership of EMD Serono in North America, Vial joins Merck from Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, where she most recently served as Senior Vice President and Head of the U.S. Rare Disease Business Unit.

 

Vial brings more than two decades of pharmaceutical industry experience spanning rare disease, oncology, hematology, global brand strategy and business development. Her career includes leadership roles at AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb and Shire Pharmaceuticals, with responsibilities ranging from product launches and lifecycle management to pipeline development and asset acquisition.

 

"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.”

 

Vial holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Pharmacy, Paris, and a Master’s Degree in Marketing from HEC Paris.

 

Both Fernández Alcalde and Vial will be based in Boston and will serve on the Healthcare Executive Committee as Merck advances its next phase of commercial and operational growth.