Astellas Pharma Inc. announced the following changes to its management structure effective October 1, 2022.
1． Top Management
Appointment of new CMO
Dr. Tadaaki Taniguchi, MD, Ph.D, will be appointed to the new Chief Medical Officer (CMO) as of October 1, 2022. He joined Astellas as Executive Advisor on July 1, 2022. He is an internationally trained surgeon in the field of oncology with extensive industry experience in developing and commercializing innovative medicines as a senior leader in major global pharmaceutical companies. He will be based in the US.
Bernhardt Zeiher, M.D., the current CMO, will retire on September 30, 2022.
Renaming of CAO & CECO to CPO & CECO and Appointment of CPO & CECO
As of Ocober 1, 2022, the name of Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer (CAO & CECO) will be renamed to the Chief People Officer and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer (CPO & CECO). With the growing focus on human capital in corporate management, the change signifies this position's leadership role in transforming human resources and the organization as a whole. Katsuyoshi Sugita will be appointed to CPO & CECO as of October 1, 2022. He has held senior HR leadership positions in the pharmaceutical and technology industries and joined Astellas as Head of Human Resources in May 2021.
Since joining Astellas, Mr. Sugita has leveraged his extensive experience and expertise in the area of Human Resources to promote innovation and the active participation of human resources toward the realization of the Organizational Health Goals set forth in "Corporate Strategic Plan 2021".
Fumiaki Sakurai, the current CAO & CECO, will retire on September 30, 2022.
"I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Mr. Sakurai and Dr. Zeiher for their tremendous contribution to Astellas," said Kenji Yasukawa, President and CEO, Astellas. He added, "I expect Dr. Taniguchi to focus on accelerating the clinical application of science, enriching our clinical portfolios and delivering VALUE to patients. I am also confident that Mr. Sugita will promote the realization of Organizational Health Goals by leveraging his extensive career in the area of HR. United under this new leadership, Astellas is aimimg for achieving the goals set forth in Corporate Strategic Plan 2021."
2．Change in the responsibility of Corporate Officer (Effective October 1, 2022)
Tadaaki Taniguchi
New: Chief Medical Officer (CMO)
Current: Executive Adviser
Katsuyoshi Sugita
New: Chief People Officer(CPO) and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer (CECO)
Current: Division Head of Human Resources
3. Resignation of Corporate Officer (Effective September 30, 2022)
Fumiaki Sakurai,Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer (CECO)
Bernhardt Zeiher, Chief Medical Officer (CMO)
Name: Tadaaki Taniguchi
Career History:
- July 2022 Executive Adviser, Astellas Pharma Inc. (present post)
- December 2021 SVP, Head of Oncology Business Unit Asia Strategy, AstraZeneca PLC
- November 2019SVP, Head of Global Medical Affairs, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca PLC
- January 2019 SVP, Head of Research & Development Japan, AstraZeneca K.K.
- April 2015 Vice President, Head of Japan Research & Development, Global Medicine Development, AstraZeneca K.K.
- December 2012 Vice President, Head of Japan Research & Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb K.K.
- October 2011 Executive Director and Strategic Officer, China Development, MSD China
- March 2006 Executive Director, Clinical Sciences, Deputy Head of Japan Development, MSD K.K.
- January 2004 Senior Director, Clinical Research, Deputy Head of Clinical Development Institute, Banyu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
- March 2000 Research Director, Clinical Development Institute, Banyu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
- November 1996 Clinical Research Fellow, Molecular Pathology Unit, Imperial Cancer Research Fund, Hammersmith Hospital, London
- June 1991 Surgical Resident, Tokyo Metropolitan Oncology and Infectious Disease Center Hospital
Name: Katsuyoshi Sugita
Career History:
- May 2021, EVP, Human Resources Head, Astellas Pharma Inc. (present post)
- July 2016, Head of Human Resources, Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd.
- August 2012, Head of Human Resources, AstraZeneca K.K.
- November 2008, Head of Human Resources, Hilti Japan Ltd.
- September 2003, Johnson & Johnson K.K.
- April 2002, ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corp.
- April 1991, Asahi Kasei Corp.
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