NORTHBROOK, Ill., April 1, 2013 – Astellas Pharma US, Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. (Tokyo: 4503),  announced today that James (Jim) Robinson has been named President of Astellas Pharma US, Inc. Reporting to Astellas US LLC CEO Masao Yoshida. Robinson will be responsible for health systems, sales, and marketing spanning a diverse and growing portfolio in oncology, urology, transplant and cardiovascular areas.

“Jim has proven throughout his career that he is a leader and we consider him a tremendous asset to the company,” said Yoshida.  “We look forward to his continuing contributions to the company’s success.”

Robinson has more than 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Before assuming his present role, Robinson was Sr. Vice President for Sales & Marketing and led the company’s expansion into the oncology area.  Robinson joined Astellas in 2005 as the Vice President of Health Systems responsible for Managed Markets, Reimbursement Strategy, State Government Affairs & Government Accounts.

Prior to joining Astellas, he held increasingly more senior marketing and sales positions with Schering-Plough Corporation in New Jersey. He started his career at Schering-Plough in 1992 as a sale representative and moved through 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 specialty pharmaceutical sales division within Schering-Plough.

Robinson is a native of Illinois and earned his Bachelor of Science, Marketing at DePaul University in Chicago.  He is currently on the board of ChicagoNext, which is dedicated to expanding the biotechnology and pharmaceutical presence in Chicago.

About Astellas

Astellas Pharma US, Inc., located in Northbrook, Illinois, is an affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at

www.astellas.us.