Astellas has established Astellas Farma Colombia (AFC), a new affiliate with operations headquartered in Bogota. Colombia joins Astellas Farma Brasil as the company’s second affiliate in Latin America.

Sandra Cifuentes has been appointed to general manager, AFC. She will be based in Bogota and report to Percival Barretto-Ko, senior vice president, international operations. Cifuentes will have responsibility for managing and growing Astellas’ operations in the third largest country in Latin America and fourth largest pharmaceutical market in the region.

Cifuentes brings more than 20 years of pharmaceutical experience in Latin America to Astellas. Most recently, she led Baxalta’s (now Shire) business in Colombia, where she was responsible for driving strategy for the company’s local affiliate following its spin-off from Baxter International. Prior to Baxalta, she served as general manager for Shire’s Colombia and Andean region business, where she helped establish the company’s Colombia affiliate. Since 2005, Cifuentes has also held numerous regional commercial roles of increasing responsibility at Novartis and Merck KGaA in oncology, transplant, immunology, central nervous system, and cardiovascular businesses.

Source: Astellas