Actavis Malta's managing director Sergio Vella is to take a six-month assignment to lead Actavis' Nerviano facility in Italy.

While he is away, Franco Gatt will take his place as acting managing director for local operations. At the end of his stint in Italy, Mr Vella will resume his post.

This was announced earlier this month during Actavis Malta's 2009 annual kick-off meeting for all its employees.

During the meeting, a presentation of the company's global direction was made and its key challenges and achievements were outlined.

All local employees were presented with an assessment of the company's key performance data over the previous year and an overview of the Malta facility's key projects and areas of focus for this year.

Entitled 'Operation Orange', the meeting detailed how Actavis Group, and particularly Actavis Malta, are "well positioned to meet the challenges of the future".

Headquartered in Iceland, Actavis is one of the world's leading players in the development, manufacture, and sale of generic pharmaceuticals.

The group has approximately 11,000 employees in 40 countries of which 500 are in Malta.