Daiichi Sankyo Appoints Hiroyuki Okuzawa as Chief Executive Officer

Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (TSE: 4568) has appointed Hiroyuki Okuzawa, 62, as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective April 1, 2025. Okuzawa succeeds Sunao Manabe, DVM, Ph.D., who will transition to the role of Representative Director and Executive Chairperson. Okuzawa, who has served as Representative Director, President, and COO since 2023, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role, having held various senior leadership positions within Daiichi Sankyo.

Okuzawa joined Daiichi Sankyo in 1986 and has since held roles such as Vice President of Business Planning Department, ASCA Company (2017), Corporate Officer, President of ASCA Company (2018), Executive Officer, Head of Corporate Planning & Management Division, and CFO (2021). His extensive experience in international business, corporate strategy, and human resources has equipped him with the necessary skills to lead Daiichi Sankyo through its growth stage and achieve its 2030 Vision.

Under Okuzawa's leadership, Daiichi Sankyo will continue to build on its success in the oncology business, driven by its leading platform of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). The company's five-year business plan (FY2021-2025) has been progressing successfully, with the rapid and global expansion of its oncology business. Okuzawa's appointment as CEO comes as Daiichi Sankyo enters the final year of its current five-year business plan and begins preparations for the next five-year business plan (FY2026-2030).

Okuzawa's appointment reflects Daiichi Sankyo's commitment to enhancing its management structure and ensuring the solid achievement of its FY2025 goals. His experience in driving the company's current five-year business plan, as well as his understanding of the global market and Daiichi Sankyo's strengths in science and technology, positions him well to lead the company through its growth stage and achieve its 2030 Vision.

In his new role, Okuzawa will focus on leveraging Daiichi Sankyo's strengths in science and technology to create new medicines and enhance patient care worldwide. He will also work to ensure the successful integration of new acquisitions and partnerships, as well as strengthen the company's management structure to execute its five-year business plan strategies effectively.

Daiichi Sankyo's Board of Directors appointed Okuzawa as the new CEO based on the Nomination Committee's report, following a board meeting on January 31, 2025. Okuzawa's appointment comes as Daiichi Sankyo enters the final year of its current five-year business plan and begins full-scale preparation for the next five-year business plan (FY2026-2030).



In conclusion, Daiichi Sankyo's appointment of Hiroyuki Okuzawa as the new CEO reflects the company's commitment to driving its growth stage and achieving its 2030 Vision. Okuzawa's extensive experience in international business, corporate strategy, and human resources, combined with his deep understanding of Daiichi Sankyo's strengths in science and technology, positions him well to lead the company through its next phase of growth and innovation.