Sweden-based drug developer and toll manufacturer Recipharm has appointed Bernard Pluta to lead its new global development organization, which is to be implemented during the first half of 2018 and will comprise a total of 400 employees across six countries.

The scientific, chemical and pharmaceutical expertise will cover end-to-end development services, ranging from development of active compounds to providing dossiers for marketing authorization applications in all major geographies.

Pluta is currently general manager of Recipharm’s manufacturing and development operations in Pessac, France and recently led a group-wide project focusing on optimizing and coordinating the company’s development capacities in Sweden, Italy, France, US, India and Israel.

Before joining Recipharm in 2015, he ran his own CMO consultancy business and held executive positions at Theramex, Merck Serono and Teva. Pluta holds a dual degree as industrial engineer and MBA. In his new role, he will report to CEO Thomas Eldered and become a member of the group’s management team. Pluta

He will continue as general manager of Recipharm in Pessac until a successor has been appointed.