Astellas names Linda Friedman as EVP, general counsel

Astellas has appointed Linda Friedman as executive vice president, general counsel with responsibility for the company's legal organisation worldwide.

She is set to take up the post from 1 April this year, and will report to Astellas' president and chief executive officer Yoshihiko Hatanaka.

Friedman currently serves as senior vice president and general counsel for Astellas Americas, having first joined Fujisawa in 1993 as a corporate attorney prior to its merger with Yamanouchi.

Since then, Friedman has held positions of increasing responsibility, including senior corporate counsel and vice president for Astellas' US operations and subsequently the Americas region.

She is chair of the board of director at the iBIO Institute, and a member of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and the Healthcare Business Women's Association (HBA).

Hatanaka said: “For nearly 24 years, Linda has played a formative role in the evolution of Astellas.

“Linda's role will help develop a new model for our legal team, allowing us to better serve our global and regional business while focusing on the needs of patients worldwide.”