Roche

Steven C. Sembler has been appointed vice president of commercial operations for Roche in Nutley, N.J., joining the company’s senior management team. He will oversee U.S. marketing and sales for products in several key therapeutic areas including oncology, HIV, hepatitis and anti-infectives. Mr. Sembler will report to president and chief executive officer, George Abercrombie. Mr. Sembler replaced Gary Zieziula, who was named the new general manager of Roche in Greece.

“In his role as vice president of oncology, Steve demonstrated how a keen strategic mind, coupled with a laser-like focus on the marketplace, can drive performance for our oncology products,” said Mr. Abercrombie. “I am very pleased to have him join my management team and confident that the accomplishments we have seen within the oncology franchise will be evident in his new role as well.”

Previously, Mr. Sembler was vice president, oncology, for the U.S. pharmaceuticals organization and was responsible for all aspects of the company’s U.S.-based oncology business.

Mr. Sembler has more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and has been involved in oncology since 1985. Prior to joining Roche in 2004, he held positions of increasing responsibility at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Bristol-Myers Squibb, and the Purdue Frederick Co., in sales management, marketing, new product development and lifecycle management. His efforts in these areas led to the development and commercialization of key oncology therapeutics.