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Daiichi Sankyo Shifts Several Top Leaders to New Roles for Company’s Launch into its Next Growth Phase

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February 22, 2019

• Dr. Junichi Koga to become new global Head of Research & Development Unit and Co-Chair of the company’s Global Executive Meeting of R&D (GEMRAD), the top decision-making body in R&D
• Ken Keller appointed President & CEO of Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., a U.S. affiliate
• Dr. Glenn Gormley successfully completes his term as global R&D Head and Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. President & CEO, and becomes Special Advisor to global CEO.  Dr. Gormley will continue as Chairman of the Board of Directors, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.
• Oncology R&D Head, Dr. Antoine Yver, to Co-Chair GEMRAD, reflecting the company’s dedication to helping patients with cancer across the globe

Tokyo, Munich and Basking Ridge, NJ – February 22, 2019 – Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (hereafter, Daiichi Sankyo) today announced senior-level organizational changes to oversee the realization of the company’s long-term vision and strategic priorities, which include delivering seven distinct new molecular entities in oncology by 2025, as well as specialty medicines that change the standard of care. 

Junichi Koga, PhD will become the new global Head of R&D Unit, drawing from his deep expertise in bioengineering and biologics research and development. Dr. Koga, currently Senior Executive Officer and Head of the R&D Division in Japan, will assume his new role on April 1, 2019 and will relocate to the company’s U.S. site in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. He will co-chair the Daiichi Sankyo Global Executive Meeting of Research and Development (GEMRAD), the top decision-making body in R&D together with Antoine Yver, MD, the Head of Oncology R&D.

Glenn Gormley, MD, PhD will successfully complete his term as global Head of R&D Unit, Senior Executive Officer of Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited and President and CEO of Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. (the company’s U.S. affiliate) on March 31, 2019. He will remain at the company as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. and serve as a special advisor to the company’s global Chief Executive Officer Joji Nakayama on R&D matters. 

Also on April 1, 2019, Ken Keller, currently President of Daiichi Sankyo Administrative and Commercial at Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., will take on the expanded role of President and CEO, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. and will focus on forging even stronger collaboration between R&D and commercial efforts, along with enhancing the company’s patient-focused culture. Mr. Keller will also remain in his current role as President & CEO of American Regent, Inc., another U.S.-based Daiichi Sankyo affiliate.

“Close connection between our commercial and R&D organizations in the U.S. and globally will support the next phase of our transformation and growth as a science-based, patient-centered company with a primary focus on oncology,” said Ken Keller.  “I look forward to ensuring the insights we get from our customers and patients are woven into the fabric of our entire organization.”

“As of April 1, it will be my honor to lead our global research and development efforts as we accelerate exciting new molecules through the pipeline,” said Junichi Koga, PhD. “I look forward to deploying the best science from our global R&D operations to create much needed medicines.” 

Junichi Koga, PhD

Dr. Koga started his career in pharmaceuticals in early research after his training in organic chemistry at Kyoto University.  He also received his PhD in microbiology from Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine.  In 2009, he joined Daiichi Sankyo in the Pharmaceutical Technology Division, establishing internal capability in biologics, and was later appointed as a corporate officer and Head of Biologics. He became Head of the R&D Division in Japan at Daiichi Sankyo in 2016 and Senior Executive Officer at Daiichi Sankyo in 2018.  Prior to joining Daiichi Sankyo in 2009, Dr. Koga led R&D at Amgen’s Japan subsidiary.

Ken Keller

Ken Keller joined Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. overseeing commercial operations in May 2014, bringing more than 25 years of pharmaceutical experience with him.  Since joining Daiichi Sankyo, Mr. Keller has overseen the dramatic transformation of the U.S. operations from a primary care organization to one poised and ready to succeed in oncology. He also devised and executed the strategies that have led to year-over-year growth of the company’s IV iron therapy for iron deficiency anemia by launching into new areas of unmet patient need.

Among his previous career positions, Mr. Keller spent 21 years at Amgen rising through the organization as a respected leader in sales and marketing, general management and joint ventures. At Amgen, he built a $3 billion business unit as well as leading commercialization for four of the world's top selling biologic medicines.

About Daiichi Sankyo

Daiichi Sankyo Group is dedicated to the creation and supply of innovative pharmaceutical products to address diversified, unmet medical needs of patients in both mature and emerging markets. With over 100 years of scientific expertise and a presence in more than 20 countries, Daiichi Sankyo and its 15,000 employees around the world draw upon a rich legacy of innovation and a robust pipeline of promising new medicines to help people. In addition to a strong portfolio of medicines for hypertension and thrombotic disorders, under the Group’s 2025 Vision to become a “Global Pharma Innovator with Competitive Advantage in Oncology,” Daiichi Sankyo’s research and development is primarily focused on bringing forth novel therapies in oncology, including immuno-oncology, with additional focus on new horizon areas, such as pain management, neurodegenerative diseases, heart and kidney diseases and other rare diseases. For more information, please visit: www.daiichisankyo.com. Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., headquartered in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, is a member of the Daiichi Sankyo Group. For more information on Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., please visit: www.dsi.com.

Kimberly Wix
Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.
+1 908 992 6633 (office)
kwix@dsi.com