Roche today announced the appointment of Steven C. Sembler as vice president of Commercial Operations for Roche in Nutley, N.J., where he will oversee U.S. marketing and sales for products in a number of key therapeutic areas including oncology, HIV, hepatitis and anti-infectives. Sembler also becomes a member of the company’s senior management team and will report to President and CEO George Abercrombie. His appointment is effective January 1. Sembler replaced Gary Zieziula, who was named the new General Manager of Roche in Greece.

Previously, Sembler was vice president, Oncology, for the U.S. pharmaceuticals organization and was responsible for all aspects of Roche’s U.S.-based oncology business. 

“In his role as vice president of Oncology, Steve demonstrated how a keen strategic mind, coupled with a laser-like focus on the marketplace, can drive performance for our oncology products,” said George B. Abercrombie, president and CEO, Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. “I am very pleased to have him join my management team and confident that the accomplishments we have seen within the oncology franchise will be evident in his new role as well.”

“I am very excited to take on this new role within the U.S. pharmaceuticals organization. I look forward to working with all of the people within my expanded areas of responsibility as we continue to grow the U.S. business to new heights across these key franchises,” said Sembler.

Sembler has more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and has been involved in oncology since 1985. Before joining Roche in 2004, he had a distinguished career with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), BMS and the Purdue Frederick Company, where he assumed positions of increasing responsibility in the field, sales management, marketing, new product development and lifecycle management. His efforts in these areas led to the development and commercialization of numerous key oncology therapeutics, which are utilized today in treating cancer patients.

Throughout his career, Sembler has also been a strong supporter, advisor and key advocate of numerous oncology patient advocacy organizations and developed a passion for ensuring patient access to innovative therapies.

A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Sembler holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Missouri. He is married and has two children.

About Roche
Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. (Roche), based in Nutley, N.J., is the U.S. pharmaceuticals headquarters of the Roche Group, one of the world’s leading research-oriented healthcare groups with core businesses in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. For more than 100 years in the U.S., Roche has been committed to developing innovative products and services that address prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, thus enhancing people's health and quality of life. An employer of choice, in 2007 Roche was named Top Company of the Year by Med Ad News, one of the Top 20 Employers (Science) and ranked the No. 1 Company to Sell For (Selling Power).  In previous years, Roche has been named as a Top Company for Older Workers (AARP) and one of the Best Companies to Work For in America (Fortune). For additional information about the U.S. pharmaceuticals business, visit our websites: http://www.rocheusa.com or www.roche.us.

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