Astellas' New Management Structure: Driving Innovation and Growth

Astellas Pharma Inc., a global leader in the pharmaceutical industry, has announced significant changes to its management structure, effective April 1, 2023. These changes aim to drive innovation, accelerate growth, and deliver VALUE to patients, aligning with the company's Corporate Strategic Plan 2021 (CSP2021) and its vision of standing "on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into VALUE for patients."

The most notable change is the appointment of Naoki Okamura as the new President and CEO, replacing Kenji Yasukawa. Okamura, who has served as the Corporate Executive and Chief Strategy Officer (CStO) since June 2019, brings a wealth of experience in corporate planning and business development to the role. His appointment signals Astellas' commitment to further accelerating growth and successfully implementing CSP2021 under his leadership.

In addition to Okamura's appointment, Astellas has made several other strategic changes to its top management:

1. Claus Zieler, who joined Astellas Group in 2019 as President, International Markets Commercial, will be appointed as the new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). With extensive experience in the commercial area at Schering and Bayer, Zieler brings a strong driving force and patient-centric mindset to the role. His appointment reflects Astellas' focus on enhancing its commercial capabilities and driving revenue growth.
2. Adam Pearson, who has held various positions within Astellas Group since 2004, including Regional Senior Vice President, North Europe, and General Manager, United Kingdom, will be appointed as the new Chief Strategy Officer (CStO). Pearson's experience in corporate strategy and his leadership in developing and promoting CSP2021 make him well-suited for this role. His appointment underscores Astellas' commitment to strategic planning and long-term growth.

These changes in top management reflect Astellas' priorities and focus areas for the coming years, including:

* Enhancing commercial capabilities and driving revenue growth
* Strengthening strategic planning and innovation to achieve long-term growth
* Maintaining a patient-centric mindset and commitment to delivering VALUE to patients

By implementing these changes, Astellas aims to accelerate growth, navigate a rapidly changing environment, and continue its commitment to turning innovative science into VALUE for patients. The new management structure positions the company to successfully execute CSP2021 and achieve long-term growth beyond 2025.