Astellas names new Americas operations president

NORTHBROOK, Ill. — Astellas Pharma announced this week that it had named a new president of Americas operations for Astellas US. James Robinson will now oversee the company’s North and South American operations, effective April 1. He’ll be taking over for the retiring Masao Yoshida. 

 

"As a 10-year veteran of Astellas with more than 20 years of healthcare industry experience, Jim's commitment to operational and commercial excellence has helped Astellas grow dramatically in the Americas,” Astellas president and CEO Yoshihiko Hatanaka said.  "His deep experience, skills and strong commitment to operating and leading with the highest sense of ethics and compliance will help Astellas stay focused on our global vision to be on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into value for patients."

 

Robinson has been with Astellas since 2005, when he joined as VP health systems, a  job in which he oversaw the company’s reimbursement strategy, managed markets and state government affairs, as well as government accounts. He was named SVP sales and marketing in 2011. Before joining Astellas, Robinson worked with Schering Plough, where he started as a salesman in 1992, eventually becoming the company’s VP hepatitis sales in 2003, leading the company’s largest specialty pharmacy sales division. 

 

“Astellas is respected for its unwavering focus on supporting patients.  This foundational idea is our compass for continued growth in the Americas,” Robinson said.  “We will remain committed to serving patients, pursuing operational excellence within the organization and building Astellas' presence throughout the Americas.”