FILE PHOTO: The logo of Swiss drugmaker Novartis is seen at its headquarters in Basel, Jan. 25, 2017. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo

ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss pharmaceuticals giant Novartis named Marie-France Tschudin head of its main drugs business after its previous manager, Paul Hudson, was poised to take the CEO position at French drugmaker Sanofi.

Tschudin, a Swiss citizen who speaks six languages, joined Novartis in 2017 after previously working at Celgene. She becomes president of Novartis Pharmaceuticals immediately.