Singapore: Merck Millipore, the Life Science division of Merck, has appointed Dr Udit Batra as its new President and CEO, responsible for the organization's strategic direction to drive growth and product innovation as well as oversight of the worldwide operations. Dr Batra will assume leadership effective May 15, 2014 and be based at the company's US headquarters in Massachusetts.

"As a global leader in the Life Sciences industry, I am very humbled and excited to be a part of Merck Millipore team and look forward to serving our customers globally," Dr Batra said. "As a former researcher who personally utilized the strong differentiated products that Merck Millipore offers, I have watched this organization develop over the past several years, and look forward to further building upon that success to bring continued value to our customers and other stakeholders."

Dr Batra comes to Merck Millipore from the consumer health division of Merck KGaA, where he successfully grew the business in established and emerging markets. He previously worked at Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, where he was head of Global Public Health and Market Access. Prior to that, he served in a range of executive management positions at Novartis, including global Head of Corporate Strategy and Country President for the Pharma Business in Australia.

Dr Batra started his career as a research engineer at Merck and Co. In 2001, he joined McKinsey where he worked across the healthcare, consumer and nonprofit sectors as a senior engagement manager. In 2004, he was appointed global brand director for the Wound Care Franchise at Johnson and Johnson, before joining Novartis in 2006.