GPhA names VP international affairs

WASHINGTON — The Generic Pharmaceutical Association on Tuesday announced the hiring of Jonathan Marks as VP international affairs. Marks brings to GPhA more than 20 years of experience, including previous roles within the Department of Commerce. 

"Jonathan’s wide range of experience in trade policy, international intellectual property and international business development are key growth areas for our association and its members as the generic industry expands globally," stated Ralph Neas, GPhA president and CEO. "Jonathan’s expertise will be instrumental in GPhA efforts to promote access to more affordable generic medicines at home and abroad.”

Marks’ areas of focus at GPhA will include ensuring that Trans Pacific Partnership provisions and other international agreements embrace patient access to generics, as well as reinforce the importance of maintaining consistent international nonproprietary names for biosimilars and reference biologics.

During Marks’s tenure at the Commercial Service, he was posted to U.S. Embassies in Russia, Hungary, Germany and Romania, as well as the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, China.

He is the recipient of numerous awards from the Department of Commerce for exemplary achievements in the international arena, including the National Export Initiative Award and the Under Secretary for International Trade Award.

Marks, who speaks several foreign languages, graduated from Connecticut College with a major in Chinese and earned a law degree with emphasis on international and tax law from the University of Connecticut School of Law.