Astellas Makes Announcement about Management Structure

Core Viewpoint - Astellas Pharma Inc. is restructuring its management to enhance drug discovery and commercialization processes, effective April 1, 2025, with a focus on patient-centric approaches [2][3]. Management Structure Changes - Astellas will establish new top management positions, including Chief Research & Development Officer (CRDO) and Chief Commercial & Medical Affairs Officer (CCMAO), to streamline operations and improve efficiency [2][3]. - Tadaaki Taniguchi, M.D., Ph.D., will be appointed as CRDO, integrating research and development teams [3]. - Claus Zieler will take on the role of CCMAO, overseeing both Commercial and Medical Affairs functions while maintaining their independence [3]. Personnel Changes - The roles of Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), and Chief Scientific Officer (CScO) will be eliminated, with Yoshitsugu Shitaka, Ph.D., resigning as CScO effective March 31, 2025 [3]. - Rao V. Mantri, Ph.D., will be appointed as Chief Manufacturing Officer (CMfgO), bringing extensive experience from Bristol Myers Squibb [4][9]. - Tatjana Dragovic will serve as General Counsel and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer (GC & CECO), consolidating legal and compliance functions [5][10]. New Management Team - The new management team effective April 1, 2025, includes: - Naoki Okamura: CEO - Katsuyoshi Sugita: Chief People Officer (CPO) - Tadaaki Taniguchi: CRDO - Rao Mantri: CMfgO - Claus Zieler: CCMAO - Adam Pearson: Chief Strategy Officer (CStO) - Nick Eshkenazi: Chief Digital & Transformation Officer (CDTO) - Atsushi Kitamura: Chief Financial Officer (CFO) - Tatjana Dragovic: GC & CECO [6]. Company Overview - Astellas is a global life sciences company focused on innovative science to provide transformative therapies in areas such as oncology, ophthalmology, urology, immunology, and women's health [7].