Astellas appoints new Executive Vice President and Head of Medical Excellence

Japanese drug major Astellas Pharma (TYO: 4503) has announced the promotion of Bernhardt Zeiher to the position of executive vice president, Global Development and the appointment of Jeannette Barrett to the position of vice president and head of Medical Excellence, Global Medical Affairs.

In his new role, Dr Zeiher will assume line responsibility for Global Development Operations and Global Clinical Pharmacology and Exploratory Development (GCPED), in addition to his responsibility as therapeutic area head of Immunology, Infectious Disease, Transplant, Central Nervous System and Pain. Dr Zeiher will continue to report to Sef Kurstjens, chief medical officer and president of Global Development.

As the head of Medical Excellence, a new department within the Global Medical Affairs organization at Astellas, Dr Barrett will be responsible for supporting Astellas' medical affairs activities globally by providing the tools, processes, systems and infrastructure they need to ensure transparency, operational consistency, limit risk and improve compliance. Dr Barrett will report to Dr Charlotte Kremer, senior vice president and head, Global Medical Affairs.