Takeda Announces Changes to Organizational Structure and Executive Leadership Team for Fiscal Year 2026 to Fuel Speed, Competitiveness and Future Growth

January 29, 2026

Press Releases

OSAKA, Japan and CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, January 29, 2026 – Takeda (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) today announced changes to its executive leadership team and organizational structure to better drive growth and speed amidst a complex external environment and dynamic market. Effective at the start of the company’s next fiscal year, April 1, 2026, key changes include:

New groups

The International Business Unit (IBU) will directly oversee all markets outside of the U.S. For the Japan Pharma Business Unit (JPBU), execution and financial planning will be managed through IBU, which will provide JPBU additional resources and ensure alignment. Asuka Miyabashira remains president of the JPBU and Japan region head, overseeing the company's second largest market. The newly established IBU will be led by Giles Platford, current president of the Plasma-Derived Therapies Business Unit. The company is recruiting a new president of the Plasma-Derived Therapies Business Unit (PDT).
Strategy & Portfolio Development (SPD) will be established to drive greater integration and alignment of therapeutic area and corporate strategy, portfolio decision-making, new product planning and business development. The company is recruiting a new strategy and portfolio development officer.
The Transformation Office will connect transformation across the company, including AI initiatives. This group will be led by Lauren Duprey, who is the current chief human resources officer (CHRO). The company is recruiting a new CHRO.

Changes to existing groups

Global Supply & Quality will be led by current Global Quality Officer Elaine Shannon.
Global Medical will be elevated to an executive team function and continue to be led by Chief Medical Officer Awny Farajallah.
Global Legal, Ethics & Compliance will be led by current Global General Counsel Natalie Furney.
The company is recruiting a head of Global Communications & Governance.

Effective April 1, the Takeda Executive Team will therefore be comprised of:

Christophe Weber, President & CEO
Julie Kim, CEO-elect
Akiko Amakawa, CEO Chief of Staff
Andrew Plump, Research & Development
Asuka Miyabashira, Japan Pharma Business Unit
Awny Farajallah, Global Medical
Elaine Shannon, Global Supply & Quality
Gabriele Ricci, Global Data, Digital & Technology
Giles Platford, International Business Unit
Lauren Duprey, Transformation Office
Milano Furuta, Global Finance
Natalie Furney, Global Legal, Ethics & Compliance
Rhonda Pacheco, U.S. Business Unit
Teresa Bitetti, Global Oncology Business Unit
Global Communications & Governance – Currently recruiting
Global Human Resources – Currently recruiting
Plasma-Derived Therapies Business Unit – Currently recruiting
Strategy & Portfolio Development – Currently recruiting

“Underpinned by strong values and purpose, Takeda has consistently evolved to meet the growing needs of the patients it serves for nearly 245 years,” said Julie Kim, CEO-Elect, Takeda. “The changes announced today are the catalyst for our next era, enabling simplicity, speed and efficiency – without sacrificing quality – to help us move at pace to bring life-transforming medicines to patients. I’d like to thank Marcello Agosti, Mwana Lugogo, Takako Ohyabu and Thomas Wozniewski for their leadership and contributions to Takeda.”

For more background on Takeda leaders, please visit https://www.takeda.com/about/leadership/.

About Takeda

Takeda is focused on creating better health for people and a brighter future for the world. We aim to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments in our core therapeutic and business areas, including gastrointestinal and inflammation, rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies, oncology, neuroscience and vaccines. Together with our partners, we aim to improve the patient experience and advance a new frontier of treatment options through our dynamic and diverse pipeline. As a leading values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, we are guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Our employees in approximately 80 countries and regions are driven by our purpose and are grounded in the values that have defined us for more than two centuries. For more information, visit www.takeda.com.

Contacts

Investor Relations

Christopher O’Reilly
[email protected]
+81 (0) 90-6481-3412

Media Relations

[email protected]

Important Notice

For the purposes of this notice, “press release” means this document, any oral presentation, any question and answer session and any written or oral material discussed or distributed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”) regarding this press release. This press release (including any oral briefing and any question-and-answer in connection with it) is not intended to, and does not constitute, represent or form part of any offer, invitation or solicitation of any offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, exchange, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction. No shares or other securities are being offered to the public by means of this press release. No offering of securities shall be made in the United States except pursuant to registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom. This press release is being given (together with any further information which may be provided to the recipient) on the condition that it is for use by the recipient for information purposes only (and not for the evaluation of any investment, acquisition, disposal or any other transaction). Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of applicable securities laws.

The companies in which Takeda directly and indirectly owns investments are separate entities. In this press release, “Takeda” is sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Takeda and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies.

The product names appearing in this document are trademarks or registered trademarks owned by Takeda, or their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and any materials distributed in connection with this press release may contain forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions regarding Takeda’s future business, future position and results of operations, including estimates, forecasts, targets and plans for Takeda. Without limitation, forward-looking statements often include words such as “targets”, “plans”, “believes”, “hopes”, “continues”, “expects”, “aims”, “intends”, “ensures”, “will”, “may”, “should”, “would”, “could”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “projects”, “forecasts”, “outlook” or similar expressions or the negative thereof. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements: the economic circumstances surrounding Takeda’s global business, including general economic conditions in Japan and the United States and with respect to international trade relations; competitive pressures and developments; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including drug pricing, tax, tariff and other trade-related rules; challenges inherent in new product development, including uncertainty of clinical success and decisions of regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; uncertainty of commercial success for new and existing products; manufacturing difficulties or delays; fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates; claims or concerns regarding the safety or efficacy of marketed products or product candidates; the impact of health crises, like the novel coronavirus pandemic; the success of our environmental sustainability efforts, in enabling us to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions or meet our other environmental goals; the extent to which our efforts to increase efficiency, productivity or cost-savings, such as the integration of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, in our business or other initiatives to restructure our operations will lead to the expected benefits; and other factors identified in Takeda’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and Takeda’s other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, available on Takeda’s website at: https://www.takeda.com/investors/sec-filings-and-security-reports/ or at www.sec.gov. Takeda does not undertake to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule. Past performance is not an indicator of future results and the results or statements of Takeda in this press release may not be indicative of, and are not an estimate, forecast, guarantee or projection of Takeda’s future results.

**OSAKA, Japan and CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, January 29, 2026** – Takeda ([TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK](/investors/stock-information/)) today announced changes to its executive leadership team and organizational structure to better drive growth and speed amidst a complex external environment and dynamic market. Effective at the start of the company’s next fiscal year, April 1, 2026, key changes include: **New groups** * The** International Business Unit (IBU)** will directly oversee all markets outside of the U.S. For the Japan Pharma Business Unit (JPBU), execution and financial planning will be managed through IBU, which will provide JPBU additional resources and ensure alignment. Asuka Miyabashira remains president of the JPBU and Japan region head, overseeing the company's second largest market. The newly established IBU will be led by Giles Platford, current president of the Plasma-Derived Therapies Business Unit. The company is recruiting a new president of the **Plasma-Derived Therapies Business Unit (PDT)**. * **Strategy & Portfolio Development (SPD)** will be established to drive greater integration and alignment of therapeutic area and corporate strategy, portfolio decision-making, new product planning and business development. The company is recruiting a new strategy and portfolio development officer. * The **Transformation Office** will connect transformation across the company, including AI initiatives. This group will be led by Lauren Duprey, who is the current chief human resources officer (CHRO). The company is recruiting a new CHRO. **Changes to existing groups** * **Global Supply & Quality** will be led by current Global Quality Officer Elaine Shannon. * **Global Medical** will be elevated to an executive team function and continue to be led by Chief Medical Officer Awny Farajallah. * **Global Legal, Ethics & Compliance** will be led by current Global General Counsel Natalie Furney. * The company is recruiting a head of **Global Communications & Governance**. **Effective April 1, the Takeda Executive Team will therefore be comprised of:** * Christophe Weber, President & CEO * Julie Kim, CEO-elect * Akiko Amakawa, CEO Chief of Staff * Andrew Plump, Research & Development * Asuka Miyabashira, Japan Pharma Business Unit * Awny Farajallah, Global Medical * Elaine Shannon, Global Supply & Quality * Gabriele Ricci, Global Data, Digital & Technology * Giles Platford, International Business Unit * Lauren Duprey, Transformation Office * Milano Furuta, Global Finance * Natalie Furney, Global Legal, Ethics & Compliance * Rhonda Pacheco, U.S. Business Unit * Teresa Bitetti, Global Oncology Business Unit * Global Communications & Governance – Currently recruiting * Global Human Resources – Currently recruiting * Plasma-Derived Therapies Business Unit – Currently recruiting * Strategy & Portfolio Development – Currently recruiting “Underpinned by strong values and purpose, Takeda has consistently evolved to meet the growing needs of the patients it serves for nearly 245 years,” said Julie Kim, CEO-Elect, Takeda. “The changes announced today are the catalyst for our next era, enabling simplicity, speed and efficiency – without sacrificing quality – to help us move at pace to bring life-transforming medicines to patients. I’d like to thank Marcello Agosti, Mwana Lugogo, Takako Ohyabu and Thomas Wozniewski for their leadership and contributions to Takeda.” For more background on Takeda leaders, please visit https://www.takeda.com/about/leadership/. ## About Takeda Takeda is focused on creating better health for people and a brighter future for the world. We aim to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments in our core therapeutic and business areas, including gastrointestinal and inflammation, rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies, oncology, neuroscience and vaccines. Together with our partners, we aim to improve the patient experience and advance a new frontier of treatment options through our dynamic and diverse pipeline. As a leading values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, we are guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Our employees in approximately 80 countries and regions are driven by our purpose and are grounded in the values that have defined us for more than two centuries. For more information, visit [www.takeda.com](/). ## Contacts ### Investor Relations Christopher O’Reilly [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) +81 (0) 90-6481-3412 ### Media Relations [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) ## Important Notice For the purposes of this notice, “press release” means this document, any oral presentation, any question and answer session and any written or oral material discussed or distributed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”) regarding this press release. This press release (including any oral briefing and any question-and-answer in connection with it) is not intended to, and does not constitute, represent or form part of any offer, invitation or solicitation of any offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, exchange, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction. No shares or other securities are being offered to the public by means of this press release. No offering of securities shall be made in the United States except pursuant to registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom. This press release is being given (together with any further information which may be provided to the recipient) on the condition that it is for use by the recipient for information purposes only (and not for the evaluation of any investment, acquisition, disposal or any other transaction). Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of applicable securities laws. The companies in which Takeda directly and indirectly owns investments are separate entities. In this press release, “Takeda” is sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Takeda and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies. The product names appearing in this document are trademarks or registered trademarks owned by Takeda, or their respective owners. ## Forward-Looking Statements This press release and any materials distributed in connection with this press release may contain forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions regarding Takeda’s future business, future position and results of operations, including estimates, forecasts, targets and plans for Takeda. Without limitation, forward-looking statements often include words such as “targets”, “plans”, “believes”, “hopes”, “continues”, “expects”, “aims”, “intends”, “ensures”, “will”, “may”, “should”, “would”, “could”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “projects”, “forecasts”, “outlook” or similar expressions or the negative thereof. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements: the economic circumstances surrounding Takeda’s global business, including general economic conditions in Japan and the United States and with respect to international trade relations; competitive pressures and developments; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including drug pricing, tax, tariff and other trade-related rules; challenges inherent in new product development, including uncertainty of clinical success and decisions of regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; uncertainty of commercial success for new and existing products; manufacturing difficulties or delays; fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates; claims or concerns regarding the safety or efficacy of marketed products or product candidates; the impact of health crises, like the novel coronavirus pandemic; the success of our environmental sustainability efforts, in enabling us to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions or meet our other environmental goals; the extent to which our efforts to increase efficiency, productivity or cost-savings, such as the integration of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, in our business or other initiatives to restructure our operations will lead to the expected benefits; and other factors identified in Takeda’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and Takeda’s other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, available on Takeda’s website at: https://www.takeda.com/investors/sec-filings-and-security-reports/ or at [www.sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov). Takeda does not undertake to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule. Past performance is not an indicator of future results and the results or statements of Takeda in this press release may not be indicative of, and are not an estimate, forecast, guarantee or projection of Takeda’s future results.

Takeda Announces Changes to Organizational Structure and Executive Leadership Team for Fiscal Year 2026 to Fuel Speed, Competitiveness and Future Growth | Takeda Pharmaceuticals