Astellas Appoints UK Ops Head

Mike Crooks has been named general manager of Astellas Pharma Ltd. (APL), the UK affiliate of Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd. (APEL), itself a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. Mr. Crooks will be responsible for managing and expanding Astellas’ UK business with a focus on the company’s therapeutic areas: transplantation, urology, dermatology, anti-infectives, pain management and oncology.

Mr. Crooks joined APL in 2007 as a marketing director and was later appointed sales and marketing director for specialist brands in 2010. He was previously at Novo Nordisk, where he was marketing and sales director of Diabetes, Northern Europe.
 
“We are delighted to have Mike leading our UK operations,” said Ken Jones, president and chief executive officer, APEL. “When Mike joined Astellas he brought with him a high level of expertise and has since played a role at APL in supporting its goals of achieving $150 million in sales by March 2010, which is now expected to reach $450 million in cumulative sales in 2012. With a proven track record in delivering sales, and a wealth of experience, Mike provides the right leadership to deliver on our commercial objectives and will support our commitment to patients and healthcare professionals in the UK.”