Tokyo, Japan, July 20, 2009, Astellas Pharma Inc. (“Astellas”; headquarters: Tokyo; President and CEO: Masafumi Nogimori) announced today that it has established Astellas Farma Brasil Importacao e Distribuicao de Medicamentos Ltda., in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to help meet the growing demand for pharmaceuticals in Brazil.
"With the establishment of Astellas Farma Brasil, we have achieved our goal of creating a direct presence in all of the BRIC countries - Brazil, Russia, India and China,” said Masafumi Nogimori, president and CEO of Astellas. “The establishment of the Brazilian affiliate follows our similar expansions into Russia in 1992, China in 1994, and India in 2008.”
With over 14,000 employees, Astellas currently has physical operations in 52 countries/areas globally, including Europe, North America and Asia. Expansion with a new affiliate in Brazil offers a significant growth opportunity as the country has seen its economy grow at a significant rate and its population grow to almost 200 million. The pharmaceutical market in Brazil grew 20 percent in 2008 to approximately $12.5 billion (excluding hospital sales), making it the 10th largest pharmaceutical market worldwide.
"Creating the new Brazilian affiliate is in line with the company’s growth strategy,” said Nogimori. “Mr. Devaney Baccarin will serve as the vice president and general manager of the new affiliate. Under Mr. Baccarin’s leadership, Astellas Farma Brasil will bring new resources and innovative products, engage local expertise, and build capabilities in the country, all to better serve the healthcare community in Brazil. Astellas Farma Brasil will introduce Omnic® and Omnic OCAS® as its initial products.”
“I am thrilled to join Astellas at such an exciting time,” said Devaney Baccarin, incoming vice president and general manager of Astellas Farma Brasil. "I'm looking forward to solidifying the progress that has already been made and to further establishing and optimizing Astellas’ presence in the Brazilian market.”
The details of Astellas Farma Brasil are as follows:
Name: Astellas Farma Brasil Importacao e Distribuicao de Medicamentos Ltda.
Established: July 2009
Location: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Representative: Devaney Baccarin, incoming vice president and general manager
Businesses description: Importation and distribution of pharmaceuticals
