Steve Sabus has been named general manager of Astellas Pharma Canada (APCA), effective April 1, 2018. He will lead business operations in the country, reporting to Percival Barretto-Ko, senior vice president, International Operations at Astellas.
 
“I have great confidence in Steve Sabus’ ability to continue the growth of Astellas Canada, an important market in the Americas,” said Mr. Barretto-Ko. “Steve’s outstanding leadership and extensive experience in sales and marketing will help ensure that our ongoing commitment to therapies in oncology, urology, immunology and other areas will focus on Canadian patients’ needs.”
 
Mr. Sabus joined the company in 2007. He has more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Most recently, he served as vice president, Primary Care, Specialty, Hospital and Transplant sales at Astellas US, where he led the successful launches of Myrbetriq and CRESEMBA. Prior to Astellas, he held various leadership positions at Johnson & Johnson for more than 16 years, including regional sales director.  
 
Also, Lynn Fenicchia Gerber has been promoted to U.S. vice president, Primary Care, Specialty, Hospital and Transplant sales, where she will lead sales efforts for the OAB, Anti-fungal, Cardiovascular and Transplant franchises. Kevin O’Keefe has been promoted to U.S. area vice president, sales, Primary Care and Specialty – West, where he will be responsible for overseeing sales efforts and developing talent within the sales force. 
 
“Serving patients impacted by fungal infections, organ transplants, heart disease and overactive bladder is a priority for Astellas,” said Walt Johnston, senior vice president, Urology and Hospital Business Unit. “Lynn and Kevin bring extensive experience in healthcare leadership, broad knowledge of our industry and Astellas therapies, as well as deep compassion for patients – a combination of qualities that exemplify Astellas’ patient-focused culture.”
 
Ms. Gerber joined Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. — which merged with Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. to create Astellas — in 2003 and was previously at GSK. She has more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with roles of increasing responsibility in the areas of sales leadership, marketing and operations. 
 
Mr. O’Keefe has 27 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with 20 years in sales leadership. Most recently, he was senior area sales director in the Hospital Division leading a team of Regional Sales Managers responsible for the company’s Anti-fungal, Cardiovascular and Transplant franchises. He joined Astellas in 2007 as a Regional Sales Manager. 
 
Mr. O’Keefe previously worked with Bayer and Oscient in roles of increasing responsibility, including sales leadership, development and training. He will be based in Houston working with a team of sales directors, reporting to Lynn Gerber, along with David Musselman, U.S. area vice president, sales, Primary Care and Specialty – East and Greg Radenbaugh, national vice president, Hospital sales.