At Novartis International AG, Myrtha Hurtado Rivas holds a role as Head of Legal Brand Protection, which she has occupied since 2016, Myrtha is in charge of the global brand protection strategy for all divisions of Novartis (Novartis Pharma, Sandoz, Alcon and Novartis Oncology), including anticounterfeiting support, parallel trade and litigation. She has been with Novartis for the last 14 years.
Myrtha Hurtado Rivas is a prominent figure in the international Intellectual Property law scene. Although she received a master’s degree in Advanced International Studies from the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna and started her career as legal counsel in the Peruvian Consulate General in Zurich, Myrtha soon switched to Trademarks. She started working at the Swiss Intellectual Property Office, which not only provided excellent training but also development opportunities. After beginning as a Trademark examiner, she moved to a managerial position in the Office.
In her current role as Head of Legal Brand Protection at Novartis International AG, which she has occupied since 2016, Myrtha is in charge of the global brand protection strategy for all divisions of Novartis (Novartis Pharma, Sandoz, Alcon and Novartis Oncology), including anti-counterfeiting support, parallel trade and litigation. She has been with Novartis for the last 14 years, where for the first six years she worked at Sandoz as Global Head of Trademarks and Domain Names and then moved to the same position at Novartis Pharma.
One of the things that she enjoys most in her work is the diversity of the tasks and responsibilities. She also very much appreciates the chance to work with colleagues and associates across the globe, and thus to consider issues from different national perspectives and learn about various cultures and legal systems. That fits well with her background of being born in Switzerland to Peruvian parents and having lived in different countries.
Myrtha is a firm believer that nowadays you need an entrepreneurial mindset to succeed in the legal profession. „Most lawyers have solid knowledge, but what really sets apart a truly excellent one is a proactive approach and strategic thinking“, she says. „I’m very happy to be able to say that I’ve come across many such Intellectual Property lawyers across the world and that there is a healthy competition between law firms, with more and more trying to be up-to-date with the latest legal developments and technological solutions“.
“Her profession, but also her wandering spirit, have taken Myrtha to many places across the globe, but Serbia has a special place in her heart. She has visited Belgrade many times to meet external counsel at MSA IP – Milojevic, Sekulic and Associates”
an Intellectual Property law firm that represents Novartis in Serbia, but also in many other countries in the region. Long brainstorming sessions with colleagues from Belgrade, sometimes over ćevapčići, her favorite local dish, have made a strong impression on Myrtha. „I have had a chance to appreciate the high level of commitment, diverse set of capabilities – be it language-wise or subject matter expertise – and most importantly, the high flexibility all associates demonstrate“, says Myrtha. „As a person living in Switzerland, in the past, I often overlooked the fact that talent can be found just a 1,5 hour flight away in Serbia“. Intensive work cooperation has turned into a friendship and many memorable moments shared with local colleagues, be it exploring nature and famous sites of Serbia or enjoying Belgrade’s exciting nightlife.
“Outside of her work at Novartis, Myrtha serves as Executive Producer at LEADERCHING, the project that she started recently with the idea of leveraging the learnings of others”
and providing a different perspective than the one may get or experience in his/her own working environment. LEADERCHING is based on the principles of active listening, openness, and diversity and inclusion, and translates to weekly podcasts in English and Spanish during which various topics are discussed with guests coming from different backgrounds.
MEETINGS IN BELGRADE WITH MSA IP – MILOJEVIC, SEKULIC AND ASSOCIATES
She has visited Belgrade many times to meet external counsel at MSA IP – Milojevic, Sekulic and Associates, an Intellectual Property law firm that represents Novartis in Serbia, but also in many other countries in the region. Long brainstorming sessions with colleagues from Belgrade, sometimes over ćevapčići, her favorite local dish, have made a strong impression on Myrtha.