Alcon has announced two new appointments to lead the company’s surgical and vision care franchises in Asia Pacific (APAC) region.
Mr Chintan Desai has joined as the vice president of Alcon’s surgical business in APAC. He succeeds Mr Sunil Vasant, who has been appointed vice president of commercial operations and strategy for Alcon International.
Meanwhile, Ms Stephanie Waugh, previously vice president and global head of ocular health, has been appointed vice president of vision care for Asia Pacific. She succeeds Mr Gustavo Zac, who has been appointed vice president of vision care marketing in the US.
In his new role, Desai will call upon extensive healthcare and medical device industry experience in Asia Pacific and the US and his competence in sales, services, finance, supply chain and project management. Alcon believes this will “solidify [our] industry-leading surgical eyecare market leadership”.
He joins Alcon’s surgical international leadership team and reports to Mr Roger Lopez, president of the international surgical franchise.
In her past roles, Waugh has played a pivotal role in new product innovation and portfolio strategy for Alcon’s eyecare brands, including Systane, Pataday, OPTI-FREE and AOSEPT.
She will continue to spearhead the expansion of Alcon’s contact lens and ocular health portfolio in the region and joins Alcon’s vision care international leadership team. She reports to Ms Sophie Dutilloy, president of the international vision Care franchise.
“Chintan’s regional leadership experience and Stephanie’s deep understanding of our business puts us in good stead to continue our growth in the APAC region,” Mr Rajkumar Narayanan, president of Alcon International, said.
“We aim to strengthen our leadership in surgical and vision care by growing our intraocular implants and next-generation surgical instruments for cataract and expanding our contact lens offering and eye drop portfolio.
“With their combined experience and passion for customers, I know that they will make an immediate impact and lead our business to address the growing regional needs for improved vision by helping people see brilliantly.”
Desai joins Alcon following 23 years at GE Healthcare, most recently as CEO for Southeast Asia. He was integral in leading the commercial team to deliver consistent double-digit growth and established a strong leadership structure to enable sustainable, long-term growth.
Waugh joined Alcon in 2018 after four years at Novartis Pharmaceuticals. She was most recently global head for external eye disease, and oversaw brand and portfolio strategy, integration, new product launches, and commercial strategy for business development and licensing with deals valued at US$1.5 billion ($AU2.1 b).
Prior to Novartis, Waugh spent nine years at Procter & Gamble in brand management, innovation strategy and business development for brands like Vicks, Pepto-Bismol, Pantene, Olay and Gillette, as well as prescription pharmaceuticals in gastroenterology and women’s health.
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