João Carlos de Britto has been named general manager of Astellas Farma Brasil (AFB). He will report to Percival Barretto-Ko, senior vice president, International Operations at Astellas and will be based in São Paulo. Mr. Britto will be responsible for leading Astellas’ operations in Brazil.
 
“Brazil represents an important opportunity for Astellas to bring value and hope to patients and their families,” said Barretto-Ko. “João Carlos’ more than 25 years of pharmaceutical industry experience will help ensure that our ongoing commitment to therapies in oncology, urology, immunology and other areas reach patients in need.”
 
Mr. Britto most recently served as regional head of Latin America at Baxalta US Inc. (now part of Shire), where he was responsible for leading an organization focused on hematology, immunology and oncology. Prior to Baxalta, he had a successful career at Novartis where he held various leadership positions for more than 17 years, including cluster head of Central America and the Caribbean, country president for Ecuador, global head of Access and Affordability marketing programs and commercial director for Brazil.