Merck Global Health Innovation Fund, the corporate venturing subsidiary of US-based pharmaceutical firm Merck & Co, has appointed Francesca Domenech Wuttke as a managing director.
Wuttke comes from Spain-based pharmaceutical company Almirall, where she led the corporate development strategy team, specialising in M&A deals. She will lead Merck GHI’s Europe-based investments in digital healthcare technology and will be based in Barcelona.
Bill Taranto, president of Merck Global Health Innovation, said in a statement yesterday: “Merck GHI has been active in Europe in the past, but we believe the current rate of innovation across Europe merits a deeper and more strategic focus.
“We are pleased to add Dr. Wuttke to our team given her broad healthcare expertise in both the US and Europe.”
Prior to Almirall, Wuttke worked at pharmaceutical firm Novartis for three and a half years, assessing and developing commercial models for cell and gene therapies and leading a team that managed its cell therapy assets.
– Photo of Francesca Domenech Wuttke courtesy of Merck & Co.