Takeda confirms 2010 executive appointments

Takeda has announced the appointment of two new executives, who will join the company from other pharmaceutical firms over the course of 2010.

Haruhiko Hirate, who has previously held positions at Roche Diagnostics and GlaxoSmithKline, will step into the role of corporate officer and senior vice-president at Takeda on July 1st 2010.

This appointment will be followed on October 1st 2010 with the arrival of Dr Frank Morich, current chief executive officer (CEO) of Noxxon Pharma, in the role of executive vice-president of international operations.

He will replace Mr Alan MacKenzie, who is retiring from the company after 25 years.

Yasuchika Hasegawa, president and CEO of Takeda, expressed confidence that the experience of the two executives will benefit the firm.

He said: “I believe Dr Morich and Mr Hirate will contribute a lot to our company so that we can realise a transformation to a new Takeda during the period of our 2010 to 2012 Mid-Range Plan.”

Last week, the company announced that it will be initiating a phase III clinical trial of the drug Hematide, in association with its development partner Affymax.