In a surprise move last month, former president of DePuy Synthes Spine (a Johnson & Johnson company) worldwide, Namal Nawana, left the company. Alere Inc. has now announced Nawana will occupy the chief operating officer’s chair at the company effective Dec. 30.

In the role, Nawana will oversee commercial, research and development and the company’s global operational functions. Nawana’s experience before and at Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) has earned him a reputation as a strategist, an innovator and a global operations leader focused on scaling businesses profitably. Prior to his time at DePuy Spine, he was area vice president for JNJ’s operations in Australia and New Zealand, chairman of the DePuy Asia Pacific Franchise Council, general manager for DePuy Australia and general manager for DePuy Canada. During this time, he was responsible for the planning and integration of numerous significant business acquisitions, and he played a key role in integrating the multi-billion dollar Synthes acquisition by JNJ.

“Namal’s extensive experience driving improvement and change within a global medical device manufacturer on the scale of DePuy Synthes Spine, and in particular his experience leading complex business integrations, fits perfectly with Alere’s needs as worldwide provider of healthcare solutions which has experienced extraordinary growth through acquisitions,” said Ron Zwanziger, Alere’s CEO. “Namal’s appointment demonstrates our commitment to improving execution at all levels. Just as important, Namal’s visionary leadership and expertise in operational integration will aid Alere in delivering products which not only provide reliable diagnostics but also incorporate connectivity technologies that put patients in touch with caregivers on a real-time basis.”

Nawana holds an honors degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s of medical science from the University of Adelaide in South Australia, and an MBA from the Henley Business School in the United Kingdom. Additionally, he achieved Six Sigma Process Excellence Black Belt certification through JNJ and Chartered Professional Engineer qualifications from the Institution of Engineers Australia.

Alere is a Waltham, Mass.-based healthcare company focused on technology in the cardiovascular, infectious diseases, respirator, oncology, women’s health, toxicology, and autoimmune spaces among others.

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