SmithKline Beecham, Novartis juggle executives

BASEL, SWITZERLAND - Novartis Pharmaceuticals announced that Argeris "Jerry" Karabelas, former executive vice president of worldwide pharmaceuticals at SmithKline Beecham, is the new head of its global health care operations and CEO of its pharmaceuticals division.

Karabelas, 45, will oversee Novartis' Consumer Health, CIBA Vision, and Generics divisions, as well as participate in policy-making and corporate decision-making as a member of the company's group executive committee. He replaced Pierre Douaze, a former Ciba-Geigy executive, on Jan. 5.

Karabelas, who holds a Ph.D. in pharmacology, worked for SmithKline Beecham from 1981 until he accepted the position with Novartis.

"I am excited at the opportunity to lead Novartis' health care operations," Karabelas said in a prepared statement. "The company's promising pipeline, the breadth of its product portfolio, extensive market presence and impressive resources available for research and development investment are all unparalleled in the field. I look forward to meeting the challenge of keeping Novartis at the cutting edge of our industry."

Shoes to fill

Howard Pien, senior vice president and director of SmithKline Beecham's Chinese and Korean operations, will fill Karabelas' vacancy as president, announced the Philadelphia-based company.

Pien, 40, joined SmithKline Beecham in 1991 as vice president and director of new product development in the United States. He also worked for the company in the U.S. as vice president and director of marketing, and as managing director and senior vice president of SmithKline Beecham's operations in the United Kingdom.

Pien holds a bachelor's of science degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a master's in business administration from Carnegie-Mellon University. PR