Amgen’s Leadership Team in Europe, Latin America, Middle East, Africa and Canada

Gilles Marrache is senior vice president, regional general manager, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, Africa and Canada. In this role, Marrache is responsible for commercial operations in more than 67 countries. Since 2018, Marrache has served as senior vice president, regional general manager, Europe. Previously, Marrache was senior vice president, regional general manager, Intercontinental, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey, as well as the Middle East.

Marrache joined Amgen in 2002 as a business unit manager in France, before becoming General Manager of Amgen’s affiliate in Belgium and Luxembourg for two years. In 2007, he was appointed vice president, General Manager in France. In 2011, Marrache became vice president, Marketing and Business Operations for Amgen International based in Zug, Switzerland. Marrache was vice president, Global Marketing Therapeutic Area Head for cardiovascular and neurosciences.

Prior to joining Amgen, Marrache held a variety of sales, marketing, key account and business unit leadership positions at Novartis. Marrache holds a Doctorate of Pharmacy from Paris XI University and an MBA from the Institut Supérieur du Commerce (ISC).

Gavin Lewis is Amgen’s VP Value, Access & Policy based at the company’s European Hub in Switzerland.

Gavin originally was an undergraduate in Economics and Politics, before working for the Scottish Government as an Economist in the Health Department. After obtaining an MSc in Health Economics from York University, he joined the Pharmaceutical industry for Roche in the UK where he worked for over 10 years developing and leading their Health Economics and Pricing department.

Gavin has experience in leading over 50 Health Technology appraisals and contributed to the development of the NICE Guide to Methods for Technology Appraisal. In 2012 Gavin transferred to Basel to start a new role for Roche as Head of Pricing and Market Access for Region Europe, where he has developed a new team with responsibilities for strategic pricing, payer marketing and real world evidence for Europe. Gavin was then Global Head of Market Access for Oncology at AstraZeneca from 2015-17, before joining Amgen.

Casper is Vice President in Amgen’s Law Department, based in Thousand Oaks. In his current role Casper advises Amgen’s Global Commercial Operations groups based in the global headquarters in Thousand Oaks and the ELMAC Region.

Since joining Amgen in 2004, Casper has held roles supporting the U.S. Commercial organization as part of the U.S. V&A Business Unit and as the lead attorney for the US Inflammation Business Unit. He has also served as the lead attorney for the Intercontinental Region, and the JAPAC Region where he was based in Hong Kong. Prior to Amgen, Casper worked at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP as an attorney across many practice group areas.

Casper received his Bachelor degree from Santa Clara University, a Master in Music History at University of California, Los Angeles and a Law degree from the University of Southern California.

Michael Egermann is Amgen’s human resources lead for Europe, Latin America, Middle East, Africa and Canada. Prior to this role, he was the human resources lead for Amgen’s global corporate functions based in the Global headquarters in the United States.

Michael joined Amgen in 2006 as human resources director Germany. He then held regional human resources roles in Amgen’s European and International organizations. Prior to joining Amgen, Michael held human resources business partner and specialist roles at Mead Johnson Nutritionals and Bristol-Myers Squibb based in the United States and Asia.

Michael holds a Master's degree in Psychology from the University of Vienna (Austria), with a specialization in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. He also holds a Master's degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from the University of Minnesota (USA).

Sharmeen Khan is the Executive Director of Compliance for Europe, Latin America, Middle East, Africa and Canada. Prior to taking this role, Sharmeen was managing the Compliance function in Amgen’s Turkey, Middle East and Africa markets.

Sharmeen joined Amgen in 2014 and has worked and lived in Dubai and Istanbul for Amgen. Prior to joining Amgen she worked as a lawyer, and as a compliance investigations Lead for Pfizer for Africa and Middle East and some Asian Markets. Sharmeen has a Master of Laws (focus on International Criminal Law) from University of Sussex.

Anna Schmelcher is corporate affairs director for the ELMAC region – Europe, Latin America, Middle East, Africa and Canada. Anna joined Amgen in 2016 as Corporate Affairs Manager for the European Hub responsible for corporate, internal and biosimilar communications and in 2019 led the European team ad interim. Following her roles in the European Hub, Anna was responsible for the Global Commercial Organization’s strategic communications and during her time in Thousand Oaks at Amgen’s headquarters worked with the global team on Amgen’s global corporate narrative.

Before joining Amgen, Anna built the Corporate Affairs and Communications function for Bristol Myers Squibb in Switzerland.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of St Gallen, Switzerland and a master’s degree in Leadership and Management from the Copenhagen Business School, Denmark.

Greg currently serves as Vice President, Medical Affairs for Europe, Latin America, Middle East, Africa, and Canada (the ELMAC Region), having taken on the role in the Summer of 2021.

Greg joined Amgen in Medical Sciences in 2006, first serving as an early development lead and then as Oncology Therapeutic Area (TA) head for the early pipeline. Starting in 2014, Greg served as the interim Global Development co-TA head for Oncology, overseeing the initial regulatory approvals for blinatumomab and talimogene laherparepvec. Greg then served for two years as Global Product General Manager for blinatumomab and the early hematology BiTE portfolio. Starting in 2018, Greg became the Global Development TA Head for Hematology/Oncology and Bone. He helped build the development team over the next 4 years and to usher romosozumab, blinatumomab for MRD, and sotorasib to their first approvals. Of note, sotorasib was the first KRAS G12C inhibitor approved in the US, with under three years from first patient dosed to FDA approval.

Greg received his A.B. from Middlebury College and M.D. from New York Medical College. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and his fellowship in hematology and oncology at The University of Chicago Medical Center. He joined the faculty of the University of Chicago thereafter as a member of the Phase I, Gastrointestinal, and Gynecologic oncology teams and an investigator for early phase clinical trials.

Danielle Ijkema is Executive Director of Supply Chain for EMEA. Prior to her current role, Danielle was the head of Supply Chain for Amgen’s Manufacturing facility in Puerto Rico. Danielle joined Amgen in 2007 and has held roles of increasing responsibility across Amgen’s manufacturing facilities.

Danielle holds a Master’s degree in Food Science and Technology from Wageningen Agricultural University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Rotterdam School of Management. She is also APICS CPIM certified (certified in production and inventory management).

Chris is the Head of Regulatory Affairs for Europe, co-lead of R&D for Europe and the Head of R&D for the UK Sites

As European Regulatory Affairs Head, Chris leads the team that develop and execute the regulatory strategy for Amgen’s portfolio across the European region including Russia, CIS and Israel. He ensures the efficient execution of the strategy, engagement with the regulatory agencies across Europe, and ensures the team influence the regulated environment in which Amgen operates. The European HQ and Affiliate regulatory organizations report to Chris and he is accountable for the CMC, labelling and R&D policy teams.

Chris is the co-lead for R&D in Europe and is an internal and external voice of Amgen for R&D in the region. Chris collaborates closely with the Medical R&D co-lead and together they contribute to the advancement of Amgen’s portfolio and shaping of the European framework for Medicines for the benefit of European patients.

As Head of R&D for the UK sites Chris leads the engagement of the UK based R&D team of over 500 staff across both Cambridge & Uxbridge. This role involves a close partnership with the head of the UK & Ireland Affiliate and the Global R&D leadership network.

Since joining Amgen in 2005 Chris has held several regulatory roles within Amgen based in the UK. Prior to joining Amgen Chris held both Regulatory and Research roles at BPL, who focus on medicinal products derived from human plasma. Chris holds a BSc in Biological Sciences and an MSc in Regulatory Affairs.

Adam Elinoff is Amgen’s finance lead for Europe, Latin America, Middle East, Africa and Canada

Adam joined Amgen in 2006 and has held a variety of different leadership roles across finance, strategy, and business transformation. Of particular note, Adam led the project that established the Amgen Capability Center in Tampa, Florida.

Adam received his Bachelors of Arts in Economics from Hamilton College and his Master’s Degree in Business Administration (Finance) from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.

Roman Stampfli moved into the role of Vice President & General Manager Latin America in April 2021.

Prior to accepting this position, Roman served as the VP Marketing & Innovation since September 2020. Before that, Roman was in General Manager positions in our Germany, Iberia and Switzerland affiliates. Since joining Amgen in 2004, Roman has held a number of roles in both Medical and Commercial, including Medical Director and Regional Brand lead.

Roman completed his Doctor of Medicines (M.D.) degree at the University of Bern and his EMBA at the University of Zurich.

Russell Abberley has been the General Manager of Amgen UK & Ireland since May 2020. He joined Amgen in December 2018 as Business Unit Director for the UK&I General Medicine Business Unit, a role which was later expanded to cover the Biosimilars business. In this role Russell led the successful Cardiovascular and Bone Health businesses for the affiliate, with responsibility for a number of key products including one of the first medicines to be selected as a Rapid Uptake Product for the Accelerated Access Collaborative (AAC), Repatha.

Russell has sat on the Association of British Pharmaceutical Board (ABPI) since July 2020.

Russell has 25 years of healthcare industry expertise across a range of geographies covering country, regional and global roles. His expertise spans all stages of the product life cycle and he has worked across multiple therapy areas on originator medicines and biosimilairs in sales, marketing and operational roles.

Russell joined Amgen from AstraZeneca where he held leadership roles in both the UK affiliate and Global Product Portfolio Strategy Organisation. Prior to that, Russell held multiple regional commercial leadership roles at MSD’s European HQ in Switzerland following UK-based roles at Schering Plough and Lorex Synthelabo.

Russell has a Bachelor’s degree in Economic and Social History from the University of Leicester and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing where he holds a Postgraduate Diploma of Marketing.

He and his family live near Cambridge.

Fina Lladós is the Amgen Iberia General Manager since September 2017 and a member of the company's management committee since 2009.

Fina holds a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Barcelona, a Management Development Program from IESE, a postgraduate degree in Industrial Medicine from the UAB, and a Master's Degree in the Pharmaceutical Industry from CESIF. Fina has developed a professional career of more than twenty-five years in the pharmaceutical industry. After her job in Roche and Sanofi-Aventis, she joined Amgen. Over these 20 years in Amgen she has worked in Spain and Switzerland, where the company has its European headquarters.

Fina has held various positions of responsibility at Amgen in the R&D, medical and commercial areas and in different therapeutic areas ranging from Clinical Development in early stages, to leadership positions in the Medical Department, as well as Business Directions in different areas before her role as a General Manager.

She currently sits on the Board of Directors of Farmaindustria, of which she is also a member of its Governing Council, and currently holds one of the Vice Presidencies of LAWG. Moreover, she is a member of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Spain. Moreover, she is participating in the ‘Mujeres de la Sanidad’ initiative to foster the female leadership and talent in the health field.

Corinne Blachier-Poisson is a graduate of HEC and holds a master's degree in international economics from the University of Paris-Dauphine.

She was responsible for the medico-economic evaluation at AFSSAPS between 1998 and 2002. After holding various organizational and marketing/sales positions at Rhône-Poulenc and Novartis, Corinne Blachier-Poisson joined Amgen France in 2009 where she has held several positions, first as business unit lead Nephrology, then Executive Director of the Oncology/Hematology Business Unit in 2011, and Executive Director of Value, Access & Policy lead in 2013. She then joined Amgen's headquarter in the Thousand-Oaks (California) on a mission dedicated to the Group's transformation, before being appointed Chief Executive Officer of Amgen Belgium and Luxembourg in 2016, a position she had held until January 1, 2019 when she has been appointed Vice President and General Manager of Amgen France.

Today President of the largest affiliate of Amgen in Europe, Corinne is responsible for coordinating actions, and supporting its 380 employees in their missions.

She is also member of the Board of Directors of the LEEM.

Soren Giese – President and CEO of Amgen in Italy since July 2019 – is a manager with solid international experience.

He joined Amgen in 2016, holding the position of Executive Director, Commercial Operations & Business Strategy of the Intercontinental Region for the American biotechnology group, operating in the markets of Latin America, including in particular that of Colombia, a Country where he was also General Manager.

Before joining Amgen, Soren worked for several years at Bristol-Myers Squibb, a pharmaceutical company where he was entrusted with positions of increasing responsibility, which he carried out in several Countries of the world: from the United States to Mexico and, finally, to Russia, where he was General Manager.

German-born, Soren has a degree in chemistry, as well as an MBA in marketing achieved in the United States.

Based in Rotkreuz, Victoria Anashkina is Amgen’s Vice President and General Manager for Eastern Europe, Russia and Turkey.

Victoria is Medical Doctor by education. She holds Master Degree in Consulting and Coaching for Change from INSEAD (Fr) and Marketing Diploma of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK).

After graduating from the medical institute in 1989 Victoria worked as a medical doctor. In 1993 she began her career in the Russian Pharmaceutical market as a medical representative.

Victoria has rich experience in pharma market from 1993 till 2006 she has taken different management positions in Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca UK LTD and Polpharma mainly in the field of marketing, business development and general management.

From 2006 till 2014 Victoria was Head of Amgen Russia.

John joined Amgen in March 2007 and is currently the VP and Regional General Manager for Amgen’s business in Western Europe, Middle East and Africa. He has almost 40 years’ experience in the Biopharmaceutical sector having worked for both Glaxo and Pfizer prior to Amgen in roles in the UK, Europe and Africa.

John has held a number of Industry Association roles across a number of countries. He was President of the South African Industry Association (IMSA) from 2003 to 2005. He was Chairman of the American Pharmaceutical Group (APG) in the UK between 2012 and 2014, representing the 10 major US inward investors in the sector. He was a Board member of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) from 2008 until 2018 and was the ABPI President from 2015 to 2017.

John graduated from the University of Durham in the United Kingdom with a BA (hons) in Economics.

Claudio Onodera is Amgen’s Executive Director, Digital Technology and Innovation for Europe, Latin America, Middle East, Africa and Canada.

Claudio joined Amgen in 2015, with 25 years' experience and an extensive background in technology, enterprise architecture, software development and consulting. Prior to his current role, Claudio led the IS Product Promotion team in Europe, responsible for all Multichannel IS platforms supporting sales and marketing enabling Amgen’s customer engagement strategy in the region.

Claudio started his career in Brazil and held multiple IS leadership roles in Syngenta, Deloitte Consulting, Siebel Systems and Baan Company. He relocated to Switzerland in 2006, holds a bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of Sao Paulo, with specialization in nuclear reactor security systems and computer simulation software.

Manfred is Vice President and General Manager, Germany. Manfred joined Amgen in 2020 from Gilead Sciences where he led the cross-functional development of a new strategic franchise for Inflammation in Europe, Canada and Australia. Prior to Gilead, Manfred had a successful career at Roche that included operational leadership experience as Director Hospital/Specialty Care in Germany, General Manager in The Netherlands and Switzerland as well as Head Subregion Southern Africa. He also held various strategic global roles including leading the commercial Oncology/Hematology therapeutic area for Roche based in the U.S. Manfred started his career at Glaxo with sales and marketing roles in the UK, France and Switzerland.

Manfred studied economics at the University of St. Gallen and holds an MBA from INSEAD at Fontainebleau.

Ugur Gunaydin was appointed general manager for Amgen Canada in June 2022.

Ugur joined Amgen in 2015 as Strategic Planning & Operations Director, Turkey, Middle East & Africa (TMEA). He then led all commercial operations of the Amgen Turkey affiliate as the Commercial Director. In his most recent role, Ugur led Russia and the other Commonwealth of Independent States countries as general manager.

Before joining Amgen, Ugur worked for Bristol Myers Squibb for 12 years with experiences in different roles and geographies, including Finance Director Turkey, Global Commercialization Finance Lead, US and Financial Planning & Analysis Center of Excellence, US.

Ugur holds a Master in Economics from the Bosphorus University in Istanbul.