Executive appointments at Grifols and Actelion

Following the recent acquisition of USA-based Talecris Biotherapeutics (The Pharma Letter June 2), Spanish drugmaker Grifols (GRLS: MC), has established a new board of directors for its US operations that draws on some of industry's most well-known and experienced leaders, who will assure a smooth integration of the two companies and create a new leader in the plasma therapies market.

This includes the appointment as chairman of the board of Thomas Glanzmann, who previously was president of another leading global plasma therapeutics business, and the reappointment of Gregory Rich as chief executive of Grifols US operations.

Mr Glanzmann was also appointed to direct the integration process because of his past leadership experience in the plasma industry and his history of successfully integrating other companies with plasma product portfolios.