Daiichi Sankyo Co. has made senior-level organizational changes to oversee the company’s strategic priorities, which include delivering seven new molecular entities in oncology by 2025.  

Junichi Koga, Ph.D. 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, NJ. He will co-chair the Daiichi Sankyo Global Executive Meeting of Research and Development (GEMRAD), together with Antoine Yver, MD, the head of Oncology R&D.

Glenn Gormley, MD, Ph.D. will complete his term as global head of R&D, senior executive officer of Daiichi Sankyo Co., and president and chief 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 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 chief executive officer, 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 and chief executive officer 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.”