Kiminori Nagao, Head of ASCA (Asia, South & Central America) Business Unit

Contributing to Improved Healthcare in Asia and South & Central America as “One ASCA”

February 25, 2022
Our People & Culture
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Mutual respect breeds mutual trust to nurture a sense of accomplishment

In April 2021, Daiichi Sankyo announced its fifth 5-year Business Plan (FY2021–FY2025) and its 2030 Vision to become an “innovative global healthcare company contributing to the sustainable development of society”. Below, Mr. Kiminori Nagao, who took over as the President of the Asia, South & Central America (ASCA) Company and the Head of the ASCA Business Unit in 2021, shares his vision for the future of the richly diverse ASCA business and what he hopes to accomplish.

 

The ASCA Business Unit contributes to improved healthcare as “One ASCA”, leveraging its rich diversity

I have been involved in the development of new drugs for more than 30 years, and in the course of my involvement, I have shared both, rewarding and challenging times with many colleagues in Japan, Asia, the US, and the EU. These experiences have taught me that it is extremely important for us to collaborate across all boundaries if we want to advance a business that spans across Asia and South & Central America.

 

- Kiminori Nagao, Head of the ASCA Business Unit


ASCA's 2030 Vision




To this end, we have formulated the ASCA 2030 Vision, which establishes the following three objectives for all ASCA members so we can share and understand our respective differences, overcome barriers, and all “face in the same direction”.

  • To deliver our products safely and promptly to as many patients as possible
  • To strengthen our oncology business
  • To enhance our presence in each country/region through our contribution to healthcare and make the Daiichi Sankyo group of companies (Daiichi Sankyo Group) an essential part of society 

To ensure that the ASCA Business Unit contributes to improved healthcare, we must always put patients first, respect each other’s cultures and values, and create an organizational climate that embraces our rich diversity and encourages every member to openly express their opinions. Mutual respect breeds mutual trust, which in turn, nurtures one’s sense of accomplishment and individual growth. I would like to see this mindset spread across ASCA so that our unit can collaborate as “One ASCA” to serve patients in the ASCA region as well as model this mindset for other regions and functions.

Under our fifth 5-year Business Plan, we will strive to enhance the contribution to the medical society in oncology

The ASCA Business Unit has offices in eight countries and regions. We will strengthen the marketing, sales, medical affairs, and market access and pricing functions of these offices to enhance the foundation of the oncology business. We will prioritize the time spent in everything we do at ASCA to ensure the delivery of new products to the patients who need them. And through our consistent efforts in primary care, we will continuously contribute to improving healthcare in the region.

Daiichi Sankyo's 2030 Vision in the languages of the countries we serve

 

In China's rapidly changing business environment, acceleration of new drug development is imperative

The drug discovery potential of Chinese pharmaceutical companies is growing at a solid pace, as evidenced from the country’s ongoing domestic development of proprietary new drugs. Reflecting these new trends, the Chinese government is speeding up the implementation of new regulations and new drug approval procedures.

Daiichi Sankyo will also continue to accelerate the development of new products in China. The fifth 5-year Business Plan calls for Daiichi Sankyo China to participate in global studies from an early stage under the initiatives of the Research & Development Unit and other related units so that new products can be launched earlier in China.

To contribute to the enrichment of quality of life around the world, as stated in the Purpose of the Daiichi Sankyo Group, we will work closely with other units to ensure that ASCA continues to serve the needs of more patients.

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Mr. Kiminori Nagao
Head of the ASCA Business Unit
Corporate Officer and President of the ASCA Company
Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd.

Over his career at Daiichi Sankyo, Mr. Nagao has been involved in new drug development in Japan, Asia, and Europe for more than 30 years. In 2014, he became deeply involved in Daiichi Sankyo’s ASCA business after being appointed as the Head of Asia Development. He subsequently served as the Head of the New Drug Regulatory Affairs in 2016 and then as the Head of the Development Function in 2018. He has been serving in his current position since 2021.