Astellas Pharma Europe appoints president and ceo

Promotes Ken Jones to the position

Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd (APEL), the European subsidiary of Tokyo based Astellas Pharma Inc has promoted Ken Jones to the position of president and chief executive.

Jones, who since July 2007 has been chief operating officer at the company, succeeds Masao Yoshida, who moves to president and ceo of Astellas Pharma US, the US subsidiary of Astellas Pharma Inc.

In 2009–10, APEL achieved €1.4bn in sales, representing growth of 9% compared with the previous year's €1.3bn. An increase to €1.5bn is expected in the current financial year. The company says it is well positioned to achieve the goals defined in its mid-term strategy, which include reinforcement of category leadership in transplantation and urology; franchise expansion in pain management, anti-infectives and oncology, and the delivery of treatments in areas where unmet medical needs still exist.

In February this year, APEL entered into partnerships with Optimer Pharmaceuticals for the development and sales in Europe and selected other countries of fidaxomicin for the treatment of clostridium difficile infection, and with AVEO Pharmaceuticals Inc to develop tivozanib, which is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma as well as a broad range of other cancers.

Jones said: ‘In spite of the tough market conditions, which the industry is facing, we're in a strong position and have clear strategies for growth through expanding and developing our core franchises. I hope to continue to drive solid growth for Astellas Pharma Europe in the years ahead.’

Jones joined the company in January 2003 as vice president of European Marketing and in 2005, when Fujisawa and Yamanouchi merged to produce Astellas, was promoted to senior vice president of sales, marketing and medical.

Previously, Jones spent 16 years with Allergan, holding senior international marketing positions across the US, Europe and Japan.

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