Managing board
SCIENTIFIC EVENT
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Mr. Pavel Kolev - AbbVie Bulgaria
CHAIRPERSON
Pavel Kolev has been appointed as General Manager of AbbVie Bulgaria since June 1, 2022. He joined the company in 2012 in the role of Brand Manager. He subsequently took responsibilities as Business Unit Manager and in 2016 was promoted to Commercial Manager for the regional team of Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Less than 3 years later, he accepted another career opportunity as Commercial Director for the same region.
In 2020, Pavel Kolev joined the Global Marketing team. The position of General Manager of AbbVie Bulgaria comes after his experience as Immunology Business Unit Director in Russia. With a total of more than twenty years of professional track record, before becoming part of the AbbVie’s team, he held various positions in the Sales and Marketing departments of AstraZeneca and in two other major Bulgarian pharmaceutical companies. Pavel Kolev holds a master’s degree in pharmacy from the Medical University of Sofia.
On May 14, 2025 Pavel Kolev was elected Chairman of the Management Board. Prior to this he had been a member of the MB of the Association, and an year later, he was elected Vice-Chairman of the MB.
Todor Kesimov is General Manager of Takeda for Bulgaria and Romania since the beginning of 2023. He joins Takeda in 2012 and since then he has been assigned at various positions in the field of finance and logistics in Takeda’s representative office in Bulgaria, as well as with responsibilities for various neighboring countries. Since the beginning of 2018 he is appointed General Manager of Takeda Bulgaria and after that he takes over the general management of Takeda for Romania and Bulgaria.
Todor Kesimov is a member of the Main Board of ARPharM since 2021 where in the period 2023-2025 he is also chairing the Main Board. Since 2020 he is a member of the Management Board of the Japan-Bulgaria Business Association and since the beginning of 2024 he is elected as its chair.
Todor graduated from Regent's Business School London in 2007, BA in International Business and Finance.
VICE-CHAIRPERSON
Mr. Todor Kesimov - Takeda
Ms. Gergana Pencheva - AstraZeneca Bulgaria
BOARD MEMBER
Gergana Pencheva has been the Manager of Institutional Relations and Market Access at AstraZeneca Bulgaria EOOD for the past ten years. She is an authorized representative for AstraZeneca AB, Alexion S.A.S Europe, and Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH.
She joined AstraZeneca in 1997 and has gained extensive experience in various commercial and marketing roles, both locally and globally.
She holds a Master's degree in Pharmacy from the Medical University of Sofia. In 2024, she was elected as a member of the Board of Directors of ARPharM and a member of the Board of Directors of the Bulgarian Cluster for Digital Solutions and Innovations in Healthcare.
Ms. Kristina Polanyi - Bayer Bulgaria
BOARD MEMBER
Kristina Polanyi has over 25 years of extensive multi-industry experience in Public Affairs, Investor Relations, Marketing and Communications, last 15 years of which dedicated to pharma sector. Since taking over the role as the Public Affairs Director at Novo Nordisk Bulgaria in 2020, Mrs. Polanyi has led complex Government Affairs projects, lobbying campaigns with various stakeholder groups. Prior to this, from 2010 to 2020 Kristina held the position of Chief Corporate Affairs Officer within Sopharma Group of companies. During this time, she established and managed functions such as Corporate & Internal Communications, Investor Relations, and Government Affairs. Holding key positions in the representative bodies of sector organizations such as the Bulgarian Wholesalers Association, the Healthcare Committee to the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists have helped Mrs. Polanyi develop a cross-sectoral perspective.
Dr. Boryana Alexieva M.D - Janssen/ Johnson and Johnson
BOARD MEMBER
Boryana Alexieva M.D is Government Affairs Patient engagement and advocacy Lead, Janssen – Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson and Johnson
25 years of experience in many areas of healthcare, including pioneering and setting up a business for international innovative companies for medical devices and equipment in Bulgaria, as well as their implementation and management. She has held various positions in the pharmaceutical industry and extensive consulting experience. Experience in government structures related to the economics of healthcare and reimbursement, healthcare management, public health.
She has a master's degree in human medicine from the Medical University in Bulgaria, a degree in mathematics, as well as master's degree in healthcare management.
Assoc. Prof. Svetoslav Tsenov - Astellas
BOARD MEMBER
Assoc. Prof. Svetoslav Tsenov is the Executive Director of Astellas for Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Greece. He is a recognized leader in the pharmaceutical sector with extensive managerial experience and a strong track record in advancing the industry across the region.
Over the years, Assoc. Prof. Tsenov has held key leadership roles within the Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Bulgaria (ARPharM), including serving as Chairman of the Managing Board. Under his leadership, numerous initiatives have been implemented to improve access to innovative therapies and promote the sustainable development of the healthcare system.
He actively engages in dialogue with institutions, professional bodies, and patient organizations, focusing on strategic partnerships and the introduction of innovative healthcare solutions.
BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Alexander Marinov - Swixx Biopharma
BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Alexander Marinov is a doctor by education with over 30 years of professional experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
He has been managing the activities of Swixx Biopharma in Bulgaria for the last 6 years. Under his leadership, the company strengthened its position in the market and developed sustainable partnerships in the healthcare sector. Prior to joining Swixx Biopharma, he was Executive director of A&D Pharma Marketing and Sales Bulgaria, and prior to that he held various positions at Bristol-Myers Squibb (Business Unit Director Oncology and Hematology and Medical Director for Bulgaria and Romania). With his extensive expertise and strategic thinking, Dr. Marinov actively contributes to the development of the healthcare system and to improving patients' access to modern therapies.
Mr. Deyan Denev
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mr. Deyan Denev has been the Director of ARPharM since October 2003. Lawyer by education, graduated from Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, expert in pharmaceutical legislation and drug policy. As Director of the association, he leads the activities of the pharmaceutical research-based industry on key issues concerning drug policy and regulations, intellectual property and the development of the pharmaceutical market. Deyan Denev is a member of the Transparency Commission as a representative of the pharmaceutical industry in Bulgaria from 2008 to 2013 and represents the Confederation of Industrialists and Employers in Bulgaria in the Supervisory Board of the NHIF from January 2014 to January 2015.
He is a member of the Special Working Group for Central and Eastern Europe of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations and Chairman of the Board of the Bulgarian Medicines Verification Organisation (BgMVO) in 2021.