Assel Abzhanova
RA Leadership / Portfolio Management / Project Management
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Summary
Business-oriented professional with 12 years of experience across RA, QA, PV and product lifecycle support in pharmaceutical and medical device companies with a strong commitment to transparency and results-driven collaboration. Recognized for stepping into complex transition environments, crisis situations and temporary or experimental roles to restore control, build sustainable processes, resolve backlogs, and stabilize operations. Now seeking to leverage this experience in RA Leadership, Portfolio Management or Project Management roles with broader business impact, stronger ownership of product strategy, launches and cross-functional execution.
Overview
3
3
Languages
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Regulatory Affairs Manager
Woerwag Pharma Kazakhstan LLP
Almaty
09.2024 - 09.2025
Commercial RA Manager Eastern Europe, Turkey, Russia & CIS
Abbott Rapid Diagnostics division, Abbott KZ LLP
Almaty
01.2023 - 09.2024
RA Manager KZ → RA Lead, Other CIS
ratiopharm Kazakhstan LLC (Teva Kazakhstan)
Almaty
02.2021 - 12.2022
Regulatory Affairs Supervisor, CIS & Ukraine
Spectrum Vision LLP (J&J Vision Rep Office)
Almaty
04.2020 - 02.2021
Regulatory Affairs & QA Manager, Central Asia cluster
Santen Oy Representative Office
Almaty
11.2018 - 03.2020
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Schering-Plough Central East AG
Almaty
07.2016 - 08.2018
RA & PV Specialist → Manager, Kazakhstan & Central Asia
Alcon Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Rep Office
Almaty
09.2013 - 07.2016
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON (UCL)
London, UNITED KINGDOM 04.2001 -
Skills
Strategic Planning & Thinking
Multi-Country RA Leadership
Compliance & Risk Mitigation
Process Optimization & Lead Time Reduction
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Team Leadership & Development
Budget & Financial Oversight
Agency & Partner Management
Ethical Leadership & Integrity
Leading by Example
High Learning Agility
Location
KZ, but open to relocation or international positions
Accomplishments
- Accelerated approvals using dossier leverage
- Restored UZ business via EU recognition
- Closed process gaps and improved business performances
- Strengthened compliance and cross-functional collaboration
- Supported team growth through training and English coaching
Career note
Additional experience as a translator and interpreter, including registration dossiers for drugs and medical devices (EN-RU), and Business English coach (2011-present). Details available upon request.
Personal interests
Teaching Business and Academic English
Psychology
Traveling
Skincare
Timeline
Regulatory Affairs Manager
Woerwag Pharma Kazakhstan LLP
09.2024 - 09.2025
Commercial RA Manager Eastern Europe, Turkey, Russia & CIS
Abbott Rapid Diagnostics division, Abbott KZ LLP
01.2023 - 09.2024
RA Manager KZ → RA Lead, Other CIS
ratiopharm Kazakhstan LLC (Teva Kazakhstan)
02.2021 - 12.2022
Regulatory Affairs Supervisor, CIS & Ukraine
Spectrum Vision LLP (J&J Vision Rep Office)
04.2020 - 02.2021
Regulatory Affairs & QA Manager, Central Asia cluster
Santen Oy Representative Office
11.2018 - 03.2020
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Schering-Plough Central East AG
07.2016 - 08.2018
RA & PV Specialist → Manager, Kazakhstan & Central Asia
Alcon Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Rep Office
09.2013 - 07.2016
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON (UCL)
04.2001 -