Takeda Pharmaceutical said Andy Plump, M.D., Ph.D., its president of research and development and a member of the board, plans to retire in June 2027.
Plump will remain on Takeda’s executive team and continue leading research and development until the company names a successor. He will also remain on the board through Takeda’s ordinary general meeting of shareholders in June 2027.
Takeda did not identify a successor or provide a timetable for the selection process. Once a new R&D president is appointed, Plump will work with that executive on the transition, the company said.
Plump joined Takeda in 2015 and led a multiyear restructuring of its R&D organization. Takeda said the changes included a more focused therapeutic-area strategy, a streamlined global footprint and expanded external partnerships.
During his tenure, Takeda received U.S. FDA approval for ORZEYFUL for narcolepsy type 1 and MIMRYLO for erythrocytosis in adults with polycythemia vera, according to the company. Takeda also cited its late-stage pipeline, including zasocitinib, a TYK2 inhibitor in development for psoriasis.
The planned departure comes as Takeda implements what it calls a two-horizon growth strategy. The first phase includes launching three medicines, advancing late-stage programs, supporting established brands and pursuing operational efficiencies. The second phase focuses on scaling new-product launches, bringing additional late-stage medicines to market and using technology to improve speed and efficiency.
Julie Kim, Takeda’s representative director, president and chief executive officer, said Plump had overseen a period of transformation in the R&D organization. Plump said he was proud of the organization’s scientific foundation and workforce.
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