MLA Places Andrea Kocharyan as Vice President, Head of Legal and Compliance at Zealand Pharma U.S. Inc.

Hanover, MD (August 24, 2020) — Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA), the world’s leading legal search firm, today announced the placement of Andrea Kocharyan as vice president, head of legal and compliance at Zealand Pharma U.S. Inc., in Boston. The search was conducted by Amy Katz, managing director, and Robert Mannino, director, in MLA’s In-House Counsel Recruiting group in Boston.

Zealand Pharma A/S (NASDAQ Copenhagen and New York: ZEAL) is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of next generation peptide-based medicines that change the lives of people living with metabolic and gastrointestinal diseases.   Zealand’s robust pipeline of investigational medicines includes one candidate being reviewed for regulatory approval in the United States. Zealand markets V-Go^®, an all-in-one basal-bolus insulin delivery option for people with diabetes. 

Andrea will provide legal and compliance counsel for Zealand Pharma U.S. and serve as a strategic advisor and essential member of the US Leadership team. She will also serve as chief compliance officer for the US company,  with responsibility for designing, building, implementing and managing Zealand Pharma US’s ethics and compliance programs. 

“It was exciting to partner with Zealand Pharma on its search for the company’s first head of legal and compliance in the U.S.,” said Amy Katz. “Andrea is very talented, and we are confident that her strategic focus, positive energy and enthusiasm, and significant biopharma experience will bring tremendous value to Zealand Pharma at this transformational time for the company.” 

Andrea joins Zealand Pharma from Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Oncology, where she served as vice president, head of legal affairs. She previously served as vice president, U.S. general counsel and compliance officer for rEVO Biologics, and has also held legal and science research roles with other biopharma companies in greater Boston.  Andrea earned her J.D. from Suffolk University Law School and her B.S. in Biology from Worchester Polytechnic Institute.