WALTHAM, Mass., Oct. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Alere Inc. (NYSE: ALR), a global leader in rapid diagnostic tests, today announced that Namal Nawana has been named Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Member of the Board of Directors of Alere. Nawana joined Alere in December 2012 as Chief Operating Officer and was appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer and President of Alere in July 2014.

"After a thorough search process, I am very pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has unanimously selected Namal Nawana to be the company's Chief Executive Officer," said Gregg J. Powers, Chairman of the Board of Alere. "It is apparent that Namal possesses the unique combination of experience, talent, intellect and character necessary to lead Alere forward with the alacrity and urgency demanded by both the Board and our shareholders."

"With our new vision of 'Knowing now matters', we look forward to focusing Alere on its strengths as the global leader in rapid diagnostics. Through the provision of reliable and actionable information, we will meaningfully contribute to improved outcomes and effectiveness in healthcare throughout the world," said Nawana. "I look forward to working with the Board of Directors and our entire global workforce to unlock the full potential of Alere's market-leading rapid diagnostic technologies and maximize shareholder value."

Before joining Alere, Nawana held various global leadership roles over the course of his 15-year tenure at Johnson & Johnson. He most recently served as Worldwide President of DePuy Synthes Spine, a Johnson & Johnson company. Prior to that role, he held general management positions that spanned the globe with Johnson & Johnson, including Area Vice President for Johnson & Johnson Medical in Australia and New Zealand, Chairman of the DePuy Asia Pacific Franchise Council, General Manager for DePuy Australia and General Manager for DePuy Canada. In these roles, Nawana drove continuous growth, innovation and profitability in a variety of specialties and technology fields. He also led diverse scientific and engineering functions as well as commercial operations during the 10-year period he spent living and working in Europe. Nawana was raised in Australia, and holds an Honors degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters of Medical Science degree from the University of Adelaide and an MBA from the Henley Business School in the United Kingdom.

About Alere
Because Knowing now matters(TM), Alere delivers reliable and actionable information through rapid diagnostic tests, resulting in better clinical and economic healthcare outcomes globally. Headquartered in Waltham, Mass., Alere focuses on rapid diagnostics for infectious disease, cardiometabolic disease and toxicology. For more information on Alere, please visit www.alere.com.

Media Contact
Jackie Lustig
Director, Corporate Communications
Jackie.Lustig@alere.com
781.314.4009

SOURCE Alere Inc.