Kerstin Atzler, Ph.D.

Passionate Leader & Commercial Strategist

Greater Nuremberg Metropolitan Area

About

I am a passionate leader with the strong belief that by authentically and empathically leading teams + people, a huge impact could be created for patients and HCPs. Managing complex Pharma brands and portfolios with local or Global teams working for one vision, is an additional super power that I am keen to contribute. I am a passionate advocate for diversity and equality at work.

Experience

  • Head Commercial DACH at Norgine Germany
    Dec 2025 - Present · 8 mos

    - Building, leading & coaching a high-performing team of Key Account Managers & Senior Brand Lead - Full P&L responsibility for the Pediatric Oncology & Rare Diseases business of Norgine in Germany, Austria & Switzerland - Strategy leadership within the Norgine DACH Executive Board

  • Karriereübergang at Career Break
    Jun 2025 - Nov 2025 · 6 mos

  • Global Senior Brand Director at Sandoz
    Feb 2022 - May 2025 · 3 yrs 4 mos

    - Leading 2 brands' portfolio launch strategies for global, biosimilar-naive markets (first & only natalizumab biosimilar, diagnostic test) with focus on US and Europe (launch in 2023), including brands' budgets - Managing, recruiting and developing of 1-3 colleagues, co-leading Global Product Team matrix - Responsible for building a complex Global network of diagnostic testing infrastructures with external partners (launch in 2024) - Strategic partner to alliance partner (Polpharma Biologics) - Winner of "Exceptional Impact Award" in 2023

  • Novartis (Nürnberg und Umgebung, Deutschland)
    • First Line Manager Ophthalmology
      Feb 2020 - Jan 2022 · 2 yrs

      - Coordinating & leading Regional launch activities in Northern Bavaria & Hesse in a complex, highly competitive virtual launch setting in 2020 as well as managing a 2nd brand in later life-cycle stage in parallel, to maximize value ahead of biosimilar entries, including Regional budget - Managing, training and developing of 6 sales representatives

    • Brand Director Migraine
      Dec 2016 - Jan 2020 · 3 yrs 2 mos

      - Responsible for the German commercial launch strategy of a new first-in-class prophylactic migraine treatment (successful launch in 2018); market break through on an entirely new market to Novartis. The brand is still market leader. - Managing, recruiting and developing of 4 local employees. - Leading the crossfunctional German Launch Brand Team, responsible as German representative in the Global Brand Team. - Mentoring of local colleagues to support their development in leadership roles.

    • Senior Brand Manager Multiple Sclerosis
      Jan 2016 - Nov 2016 · 11 mos

      - Responsible for Marketing of 2 in-market brands in Germany (therapeutic area: Multiple Sclerosis) - Managing, recruiting and developing of 2 local employees. - Preparing the Brand Plans and implementing its targets and objectives. - Successful creating and implementing of a new brand campaign.

  • Vollzeit-Elternschaft at Career Break
    Sep 2013 - Dec 2014 · 1 yr 4 mos