James Robinson has been promoted to President, Americas Operations for Astellas US, with responsibility for the company's operations in North and South America. He takes up the position on 1 April.
Robinson was previously President, Astellas Pharma US, representing the commercial organisation in the US, a role he assumed in 2013.
He will succeed Masao Yoshida, who is retiring this June.
Robinson joined Astellas in 2005 as Vice President of Health Systems, responsible for managed markets, reimbursement strategy, state government affairs and government accounts, and has since held positions of increasing responsibility.
In 2011, he became Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, leading the US organisation responsible for sales, marketing, new product planning, market access and commercial operations.
Robinson began his career at Schering-Plough in 1992 as a Sales Representative, and held positions of increasing responsibility until he was promoted to Vice President of Hepatitis Sales and Managed Care in 2003. In this position, he led the largest speciality pharmaceutical sales division within Schering-Plough until he joined Astellas.
