Biopharmaceutical company Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TKPYY) announced today that former Sanofi research and development executive Andrew Plump has joined its board of directors. Plump will be named corporate officer and chief medical and scientific officer at the Japan-based company. He will officially begin his role at Takeda beginning on Feb. 1, 2015.
Plump most recently served as the senior vice president and deputy to the president of research and development at Sanofi.
This news comes following the retirement of Tadataka "Tachi" Yamada, the former chief medical and scientific officer. As the transition in leadership continues, Yamada will remain on the board and assist until June 2015.
"I am fully confident that Andy, with his deep experience in drug discovery and development and his past work in areas directly relevant to Takeda, will sustain and enhance our best-in-class R&D enterprise," said Christophe Weber, president and chief operating officer at Takeda. "Andy has a deep passion for leveraging breakthroughs in science to improve patients' lives, which is in line with Takeda's mission and fully reflects our core values of Takeda-ism."
Plump will be directly reporting to Weber once he begins his position. He brings more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. "Tachi has reshaped Takeda's R&D organization, and due in large part to his contributions we have a bright future before us," Weber continued. "His keen intellect and his passionate commitment to patients have inspired us all. Tachi has been instrumental in creating the foundation for the transformation we are undertaking today, deeply rooted in Takeda-ism, and we are very grateful for his substantial contributions."
Movement at the Top
In November, Takeda announced that Marc Princen had joined the company as the corporate officer and president of the EUCAN (Europe and Canada) business unit. Prior to taking the position, Princen had worked for Merck (MRK) as the president of the mid-Europe region. He had also been the president and general manager of Diversified Brands, a company focused on branded genetics.
"I am fully confident that Marc, with his rich set of skills and expertise both broadly across the pharmaceutical industry and specifically in a majority of Takeda's therapeutic areas, will prove a great asset for Takeda," said Weber, at the time of the announcement. "His passion for healthcare and commitment to improving lives are in alignment with Takeda's mission and core values of Takeda-ism, and we are pleased to bring such a well-rounded leader onboard."