Hanston named head of Novartis' U.S. pharmaceutical business

WASHINGTON Swiss drug maker, Novartis AG, announced Ludwig Hantson as the head of the U.S. pharmaceutical business for the company.

According to published reports, Hanston will be succeeding Alex Gorsky. Hanston previously was head of Novartis’ specialty division in the United States and earlier served as head of Novartis’s pharmaceutical business in Europe.

Hantson’s promotion follows a number of management changes at Novartis under Joseph Jimenez, the chief executive of Novartis’ pharmaceutical unit, who, according to published reports, has hired two executives to lead drug development.

 “Mr. Hantson's experience dealing with frugal European health systems should help him cope with increasingly cost-conscious insurers and other payers in the U.S.” Jimenez said.