Astellas Europe appoints Ken Jones as CEO

Ken Jones has been appointed president and CEO of Astellas Pharma Europe – the European subsidiary of Japan-based Astellas Pharma.

Jones, who leaves his role of current chief operating officer with the company, takes over from Masao Yoshida who has been appointed as president and CEO of Astellas' US division.

"I am delighted and honoured to be taking on this new role and I look forward to building on Astellas Pharma Europe's considerable achievements," said Jones. "In spite of the tough market conditions which the industry is facing, we're in a strong position and have clear strategies for growth through expanding and developing our core franchises."

These strategies include expanding the company's efforts into pain management, anti-infectives and oncology while maintaining a leading presence in transplantation and urology.

In line with these plans, Astellas has entered several partnerships recently, including a deal with Optimer Pharmaceuticals involving the development and commercialisation in Europe of clostridium difficile treatment, fidaxomicin. Astellas has also agreed a partnership deal with AVEO Pharmaceuticals to develop investigational cancer treatment, tivozanib.

Jones joined Yamanouchi as vice president, European marketing, in 2003. Yamanouchi then merged with Fujisawa to form Astellas in 2005, with Jones being promoted to senior vice president, sales, marketing and medical.

Prior to his work with Astellas, he spent 16 years with Allergan working in Europe, the US and Japan.