AstraZeneca has appointed Marc Dunoyer as executive vice president, global portfolio & product strategy. Marc will be responsible for driving business strategy, including business development, mergers and acquisitions, portfolio and product strategies. His most critical priorities will be to bolster the core growth platforms and therapy areas through well executed business development initiatives and leadership of internal efforts.

Marc will join AstraZeneca from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) where, as global head of rare diseases, he established an integrated global capability in treatments for rare diseases from R&D through to commercialisation. He is also chairman of GSK Japan and a member of the corporate executive team. Previously at GSK he was president for Asia Pacific and Japan. Prior to joining GSK in 1999, Marc held a number of international positions in operations and general management at Hoechst Marion Roussel.

“I’m delighted Marc is joining us in this pivotal new role aimed at bringing greater integration across our R&D, commercial and business development activities,” said Pascal Soriot, chief executive officer, AstraZeneca. “Marc is a first-rate leader with a proven track record in driving business growth and he brings to AstraZeneca a wealth of international operating experience, in particular in the important Asia region, combined with outstanding strategic skills.”

Marc, who will join the company in the second quarter of 2013, will report to Pascal Soriot and will be a member of AstraZeneca’s senior executive team.

Marc has an MBA from the Hautes Etudes Commerciales and has a Bachelor of Law degree from Paris University. He qualified as a Junior Certified Public Accountant in France.