Ludwig
Hantson
Boomer Esiason Foundation
2008 Most Valuable Player
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NPC)
Ludwig Hantson is President and Head of Specialty
Medicines, U.S., a position he assumed in October 2007. He is responsible
for the development and execution of the U.S. strategy and the operational
management of the Specialty Medicines Operating Unit, which includes the
Respiratory, Neuroscience, Bone/Urology/Hormone Replacement Therapy,
Infectious Diseases/Transplant/Immunology (IDTI), and Ophthalmology business
franchises.
Prior to becoming Head of the Specialty Medicines
Operating Unit, he was Senior Vice President, Commercial Development &
Specialty Businesses, where he was responsible for both Commercial
Development operations and the IDTI and Ophthalmology businesses. As Head of
Commercial Development, he realigned the U.S. Medical Organization to
improve focus on Medical Affairs and Clinical Development, and to create an
enhanced function in Evidence-Based Medicine.
Ludwig joined Novartis AG in 2001, as Head of
Global Early Commercial Development and later became Head of the Global
Neuroscience business franchise. He then became Head of Pharma Region
Europe, Novartis Pharma AG. Under his leadership, the Region Europe team
propelled Diovan to the number 1 ARB position and blockbuster status in
Europe and made great improvements to productivity and margins. Before
leading Region Europe, Ludwig served as Head of Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Canada, Inc., where he drove strong growth, increased market share, and led
Novartis Pharma Canada to be named one of the Best Employers in Canada.
Prior
to joining Novartis, Ludwig spent 13 years at Janssen Pharmaceutical in
roles of increasing responsibility in the marketing and development areas.
