Astellas exec to join Alkermes

The head of Japanese pharma major Astellas’ US operations is moving to take up a top position at US CNS focussed drugmaker Alkermes.

Alkermes has appointed James (Jim) Robinson as president and chief operating officer, effective March 5, 2018. Mr Robinson will lead Alkermes' global commercial, operations, business development and human resources functions as the company prepares for the expansion of its commercial portfolio and builds the organization for its next stage of growth. He will serve on the executive management team and report to Richard Pops, chief executive of the company.

Mr Robinson brings to Alkermes more than 25 years of biopharmaceutical industry experience spanning a variety of diverse disciplines, including sales, marketing, new product planning, market access, reimbursement and government affairs. He joins Alkermes from Astellas US, where he served as President of Americas Operations with responsibility for the company's operations in North and South America. He previously served as president, Astellas Pharma US, representing the commercial organization in the USA. Prior to joining Astellas in 2005, he served as an executive at the former Schering-Plough Corporation. Mr Robinson is a member of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) board of directors and serves as the treasurer for PhRMA. He also serves on a number of industry, community and non-profit boards.