DAIICHI SANKYO restructures European affiliates Stronger affiliates in Austria and Switzerland
Munich, Nov. 5th, 2008 – In line with its expansion strategy for Europe, the Japanese pharmaceutical company DAIICHI SANKYO is reorganizing its European management structure. The Austrian and Swiss country affiliates, which have been sharing the same general manager, will be separated and established as independent organizational units. To accomplish this, management resources will also be augmented. The search for capable individuals to fill these important roles will begin at once.
“We are entering a new phase of development for our business in Austria and Switzerland,” explains Reinhard Bauer, CEO of DAIICHI SANKYO EUROPE, adding “The start-up phase is over, and now we are looking to significantly expand our market position and name recognition in Austria and Switzerland.” The extremely positive progress in Germany sets the standard for further expansion, he notes.
During the last two years, DAIICHI SANKYO has made a name for itself in Germany with several large transactions. The most recent include obtaining a major share of the Primary Care sales force for primary-care physicians from Merck Pharma GmbH, acquiring the Biotech start-up U3 Pharma based in Martinsried near Munich – also the focus of international attention – and investing €25 million in 2007 for the expansion of the most important European production facility in the Bavarian city of Pfaffenhofen.
In an effort to grant greater authority to the Austrian and Swiss subsidiaries in the European management committee for the Japanese pharmaceutical company, the interests of both countries will be represented by Ralf Goeddertz, Managing Director of DAIICHI SANKYO DEUTSCHLAND GmbH. The committee acts as the primary decision-making body of DAIICHI SANKYO in Europe.
“I am looking forward to this additional role, even though I have no intention of intervening in the day-to-day business operations of Austria and Switzerland,” explains Goeddertz. “These activities should continue to be the responsibility of local managers. I do, however, believe it is essential that the smaller pharmaceutical markets be incorporated into company decisions made at the European level. Our competitors continually underestimate the importance of these markets. In this sense, I see myself as an advocate for these countries. Because of the large number of our European subsidiaries and the speed at which we are growing, not all of our country affiliates are able to have a place and voice in the inner circle of company management,” continues Goeddertz.
CONTACT
Dr. Thomas Portz
Corporate Communications
Phone +49(0)89/78 08-468
thomas.portz@daiichi-sankyo.eu
Forward-looking statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements and information about future developments in the sector, and the legal and business conditions of DAIICHI SANKYO EUROPE GmbH. Such forward-looking statements are uncertain and are subject at all times to the risks of change, particularly to the usual risks faced by a global pharmaceutical company, including the impact of the prices for products and raw materials, medication safety, changes in exchange rates, government regulations, employee relations, taxes, political instability and terrorism as well as the results of independent demands and governmental inquiries that affect the affairs of the company. All forward-looking statements contained in this release hold true as of the date of publication. They do not represent any guarantee of future performance. Actual events and developments could differ materially from the forward-looking statements that are explicitly expressed or implied in these statements. DAIICHI SANKYO EUROPE GmbH assumes no responsibility for the updating of such forward-looking statements about future developments of the sector, legal and business conditions and the company.
