MSD, a leading global pharmaceutical company, has appointed Ashraf Malak as the Managing Director for the Gulf Cooperation Council cluster which includes Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman.

 

Most recently, Malak was the Regional Commercial Operations Director for MSD’s Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa region where he supported rapid market growth and digital transformation, also advancing the company’s capabilities within harnessing data analytics and implementing an all-new commercial strategy. 

 

Prior to that, he was the Managing Director for MSD Saudi Arabia, transforming the company’s operations in the Kingdom and expanding patient access to novel oncology and vaccines therapies. He was instrumental within growing the business within acute care and cardiometabolic therapeutic areas, accelerating innovative drugs to local approval process and advancing the national vaccines program. Positioning MSD as an employer of choice, he also spearheaded the company’s talent management within the Kingdom, including accelerating the Saudisation program.

 

Malak said: “As a part of the MSD family for close to two decades, I will continue to support the team in delivering our scientific innovation and excellence within medicines and vaccines to save and improve lives. We will work along with the healthcare industry stakeholders to ensure greater patient access for new medicines to continue to be available. As we advance our therapeutic pipeline, we aim to fulfil unmet medical needs within our focus areas of oncology, vaccines, infectious diseases and diabetes disorders through impactful collaboration with GCC governments and industry partners.” 

 

He added: “I would like to take the opportunity to thank Mazen Altaruti for his contributions for over 21 years in making MSD one of the top five pharmaceutical companies in the region.  The team and I wish him the very best in the next chapter of his personal and professional goals.”

 

Ashraf joined MSD in UAE in 2002 and has held responsibilities within sales, marketing, market access, business unit management, commercial development, operations and general management. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Jordan University and an MBA degree from the American University of Dubai, while also graduating from the Executive Leadership Program by Harvard Business School. -TradeArabia News Service