TOKYO, April 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Astellas ("Astellas,") (Tokyo: 4503) today announced that Dr. Shontelle Dodson has been named vice president, Medical Excellence, Medical Affairs. Dodson will be located at Astellas' global headquarters for its Medical and Development functions in Northbrook, Ill., USA, and will report to Dr. Charlotte Kremer, executive vice president, Medical Affairs.

Dodson will oversee the Medical Excellence functions within the company's Medical Affairs organization, including Global Medical Communications, Scientific Publications, Health Economics and Outcomes Research, and Medical Affairs Research and Grants. As a key direct report to Kremer, she will play an instrumental role in leading key functional groups that provide support and service across the therapeutic areas served by the company's Medical Affairs organization.

"Astellas couldn't be more pleased to have someone like Shontelle take on this important role in building a best in class Medical Affairs organization," said Kremer. "Her diverse experience across the different facets of medical affairs in industry roles and prior work in clinical settings will offer the insights needed to help Astellas continue to address the unmet needs of our patients."

Dodson joined Astellas in 2012 and, since that time, has led the Health Economics and Clinical Outcomes Research team in the Americas. Under her leadership, that team has pioneered multiple real world data projects, including two national registries in prostate cancer and overactive bladder, as well as partnered research with leading managed care and academic organizations. Dodson holds a doctorate in pharmacy from Mercer University School of Pharmacy and completed a postdoctoral residency at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

About Astellas Pharma Inc.

Astellas Pharma Inc., located in Tokyo, Japan, is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceuticals. Astellas has approximately 18,000 employees worldwide. The organization is committed to becoming a global category leader in Urology, Immunology (including Transplantation) and Infectious diseases, Oncology, Neuroscience and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) Complications and Kidney diseases. For more information on Astellas Pharma Inc., please visit the company website at www.astellas.com/en.

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SOURCE Astellas Pharma Inc.