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Takeda Names Next CEO

Julie Kim will succeed Christophe Weber in 2026 when he retires.

Takeda’s Board of Directors has unanimously appointed Julie Kim, currently the president of Takeda’s U.S. Business Unit, as the successor to Christophe Weber, Takeda’s current president, CEO and representative director. The move is effective when Weber retires from the company in June 2026.

With three decades of experience in healthcare, Kim has held leadership positions at global, regional, country and functional levels. Her extensive background covers a range of therapeutic areas, international market access, general management, marketing and emerging market development.

Masami Iijima, chair of the Board of Directors meeting and of the nomination committee, said, “After undergoing a multi-year succession process, the Board determined that Julie Kim is the best leader among the strong pool of both internal and external candidates. The selection process followed by the Nomination Committee and the Board has been thorough and exemplary.”

“Takeda is a unique company, and I am deeply honored to have been chosen to lead it,” said Julie Kim. “Thanks to Christophe’s phenomenal leadership, Takeda has become a global biopharmaceutical powerhouse with a promising late-stage pipeline. I am excited to guide Takeda through the next phase, together with our exceptional and talented people, while staying true to our strong culture that is rooted in our values and shaped by a heritage of more than 240 years. I want to thank the Board of Directors for their confidence in me. I look forward to working with the Board, Takeda’s executive team and all the colleagues to serve and create long-term value for patients, shareholders and society.”

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