Octapharma USA appoints new VP of commercial development

The American arm of the independent Swiss biotech company Octapharma has appointed Richard Walters as its new vice president of commercial development.

Mr Walters will take over responsibility for all product marketing at Octapharma USA, as well as commercial development and coordination with the global development team.

Previously vice president of sales and marketing with General Medical Services in New Jersey, he also spent eight years at CSL Behring, a subsidiary of Australian blood plasma and vaccines specialist CSL Limited (ASX: CSL), where he served as VP of US sales.

“We are fortunate to have Rich Walters join our senior management team,” said Octapharma USA president Flemming Nielsen. “Rich has extensive US and international experience with particular expertise in marketing, management and business development.”

“Rich will play a vital role with Octapharma USA as we continue to grow our product portfolio in the US with the goal of providing patients with life-enhancing and life-saving therapies.”

Earlier in his career, Mr Walters held biopharmaceutical marketing and sales leadership positions with Sanofi-Aventis and Rhône-Poulenc Rorer, which later became part of Aventis, and now French pharma major Sanofi.

Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Lachen, Switzerland, Octapharma is one of the largest human protein products manufacturers in the world.