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Astellas Announces Recent Leadership Promotions in Medical & Development, Primary Focuses, Commercial, Product Management and Human Resources

Astellas is proud to share recent top leadership promotions and appointments across our divisions for employees based in the US. These leaders are all crucial in driving forward the company’s vision, innovation and commitment to the patients and healthcare providers we serve.

  • Andrew Krivoshik, M.D., Ph.D., was promoted to president of Development
  • Shontelle Dodson, PharmD, was promoted to executive vice president, head of Medical Affairs
  • Ahsan Arozullah, M.D., was promoted to senior vice president, head of Development Therapeutic Areas
  • John DeMay was promoted to senior vice president, Project and Product Management, Pharmaceutical Technology
  • Lei Ding was promoted to senior vice president, Market Access and Commercial Capabilities
  • Lynn Fenicchia was appointed to senior vice president, head of the Medical Specialties Business Unit
  • Richard Wilson was promoted to senior vice president, division head and primary focus lead, Genetic Regulation
  • Grace Fan was promoted to vice president, Operational Audit
  • Jennifer Hersom was promoted to vice president, Talent, Global Human Resources
  • Tong Zhu, Ph.D., FCP, was promoted to vice president, primary focus lead, Mitochondria

Andrew Krivoshik leads the global Development organization in advancing and accelerating Astellas' pipeline. Prior to his new role, Andrew was senior vice president, head of Development Therapeutic Areas. Since joining Astellas in 2011, Andrew has held several leadership positions in Development, providing strategic direction across therapeutic areas and overseeing the launch of multiple new product approvals and indications.

Shontelle Dodson leads the company’s Medical Affairs organization, bringing her broad medical affairs and commercial operations experience to the position. Prior to her new role, Shontelle was senior vice president, head of the Medical Specialties Business Unit. She joined Astellas in 2012 and has held numerous senior leadership positions in Medical Affairs and Commercial.

Ahsan Arozullah leads development for the Oncology and Medical Specialties Therapeutic Areas teams, with a focus on pursuing innovative research and development across Astellas’ primary focus areas. Previously, Ahsan was vice president, Medical Sciences, Oncology. He joined Astellas in 2008 and led the Pharmacovigilance Medical Safety team in Oncology before transitioning to the Oncology Development team.

John DeMay is responsible for contributing to strategy and operations within Pharmaceutical Technology, including leadership of the CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls), Clinical Supply Chain and Contract Manufacturing Management teams. Since 2017, he has also served as president of Astellas US Technologies, Inc. He joined Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc. in 2002, one of the companies that merged to form Astellas, and has held a variety of roles related to CMC product development, manufacturing technology transfer coordination and CMC product management, including product manufacturing coordination for multiple commercial product launches.

Lei Ding is responsible for operationalizing commercial capabilities to ensure access to Astellas medicines among healthcare providers, payers and patients. Previously, Lei was vice president, Market Access and Pricing. She joined Astellas in 2009 and has led multiple new product launches and lifecycle pricing strategies, contract negotiations, market access strategy development and execution.

Lynn Fenicchia leads US commercial operations for a broad portfolio of specialty products, including marketed products in the urology, anti-infectives and hospital business units. Prior to her new role, Lynn was senior vice president, Market Access and Commercial Capabilities. Lynn joined Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. in 2003, which merged with Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. to create Astellas. She has held multiple roles in the areas of sales leadership, marketing, strategy and operations.

Richard Wilson leads the Primary Focus strategy for genetic regulation activities at Astellas, working alongside Astellas Gene Therapies leadership to drive the company’s efforts in adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy programs. He joined the company in 2020 as vice president, Portfolio, Program & Operations Strategy, to lead the creation of the Gene Therapy Core Team operating model, and he also helped to lead the transition of Audentes into Astellas Gene Therapies.

Grace Fan leads the Operational Audit Group within Internal Audit, including responsibilities for strategy, development and program execution of operational audit. Prior to her new role, Grace was executive director, head of Excellence and Transformation and Operational Audit Group 1. Since joining Astellas in 2007, Grace has held varying roles of responsibility within Internal Audit, including launching the Americas JSOX assessment program and leading the Internal Audit regional function in 2013.

Jennifer Hersom is responsible for shaping global strategy, policy and best practice processes in the areas of Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, Talent & Performance Management, and Engagement, Diversity & Inclusion for Astellas. Prior to her new role, she was senior director, Talent, Performance & Change Management. Before joining Astellas in 2018, she specialized in talent and organizational development in both consulting and corporate environments. 

Tong Zhu is responsible for leading the company’s Primary Focus strategy in Mitochondria Biology by working globally to help identify and develop innovative drugs in mitochondrial disease. Prior to her new role, Tong was executive director, Clinical Pharmacology and Exploratory Development (CPED). She joined Astellas in 2010 and has held leadership positions of increasing responsibility in CPED, including most recently overseeing activities in the Medical Specialties Therapeutic Area.

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