SVP, Head of Business Development
Issei Tsukamoto is senior vice president and global Head of Business Development (BD) at Astellas, based out of Tokyo, Japan. He has
responsibility for leading the company’s full range of dealmaking and partnering activities, from venture investments and R&D collaborations to late-stage licensing and M&As, building win-win partnerships with ambitious external organizations who
share Astellas’ vision to deliver VALUE for patients.
Following 17 years at Astellas, Issei spent four years as Head of Japan Business Development, Takeda Pharmaceuticals Ltd., leading a wide range of BD transactions including portfolio transformation in Japan as the PMI through the Shire acquisition. He rejoined Astellas in 2021.
He has comprehensive knowledge, experience and an extensive network in the pharmaceutical industry, holding 12 years’ experience in corporate development, BD and alliance management plus 11 years of experience in drug discovery.
Issei received a Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry from Tohoku University, Japan.