PRINCETON, N.J. — Sandoz has named Don DeGolyer as president of its U.S. operations and head of commercial operations for North America.

The drug maker, a division of pharmaceutical giant Novartis, said Monday that DeGolyer is slated to assume the role fully on April 1 after a transition period. He also will be a member of the global Sandoz Executive Committee.

DeGolyer replaces Christine Mundkur, who will leave Sandoz to pursue other opportunities, according to the company. Sandoz said Mundkur had successfully accomplished a key first phase of turning around the performance of Sandoz U.S. in the wake of disappointing 2008 results.

Most recently, DeGolyer was senior vice president and head of U.S. commercial operations for Sandoz U.S. Before that, he served as Senior Vice President, US Managed Markets & Established Medicines for Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., the U.S. affiliate of Novartis. He has more than 25 years experience in the industry, including sales, marketing and management roles of increasing responsibility at Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Oxford GlycoSciences.

Sandoz noted that besides his deep experience, DeGolyer has a strong understanding of key customer needs in the changing health care arena.

"The U.S. health care landscape is undergoing fundamental shifts," Sandoz chief executive officer Jeff George said in a statement. "Working with our largest customers and the government is increasingly important to our business, and Don’s background and experience will be invaluable. I am very confident in his ability to drive the Sandoz U.S. strategy forward as we look to further enhance our position in this important market."

In addition, Sandoz has appointed Richard Tremonte as vice president of U.S. retail sales and marketing. He previously was senior director of marketing for Sandoz U.S. and joined the company in 2007.

Tremonte has worked in the generic drug industry for most of the past 10 years, including more than five years at Teva Pharmaceuticals in various marketing and supply chain positions of increasing responsibility, according to Sandoz.

"The need for high-quality and affordable medicines in the U.S. health care system is at an all-time high," commented DeGolyer. "Ensuring our customers needs are well-understood and satisfied is a primary focus for Sandoz U.S. Rich’s successful track record and deep knowledge of the U.S. generics market played a key role in returning our U.S. business to growth in 2009, and I have full confidence he will continue to grow our retail business, improving our leadership position in the U.S. market."