Developing new medicines with a common purpose for shared success

Dr. Takashi Fukuoka, PhD (hereinafter, Taka) had dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, but during the course of his studies he realized his true passion lay in the pure pursuit of science. Rather than go into clinical practice, he steered himself towards an entry-level position in drug discovery at Daiichi Sankyo predecessor company, Sankyo Co., Ltd., with enthusiasm to conduct cutting-edge research and contribute to the world of health and medicine.

Little could he have imagined that just six years later, a discovery he made in the lab—uncovering a previously unknown role for an anti-infective compound—would be translated into an approved drug indication, something few researchers experience in their lifetimes.

“I was proud and humbled to contribute to the development of the medicine in an important way, especially so early in my career,” Taka reflected. When he later spoke to a physician who had prescribed the medicine for a patient, Taka came to fully appreciate the weight of the achievement in human terms. The doctor thanked him for his work and explained that it was the only available agent that succeeded in resolving the infection in a patient with late-stage lung cancer, allowing him to leave the hospital and spend his precious remaining time at home with his family.

These early events served as the foundation for a dedicated career at Daiichi Sankyo, including 16 years in anti-infective drug creation/development and subsequent roles in project management and change management; global strategy and planning; and heading an in-house Venture Science Lab that put several new compounds into clinical development.

Leading a New Generation

Today, Taka Fukuoka is a trusted leader focused on leading and executing Daiichi Sankyo’s strategic vision for oncology and specialty medicines, global transformation, and growth, including sustainability and patient centricity mindsets, and he sees a key part of his job as preparing and nurturing a new generation of employees and leaders to meet the moment.

“Creating innovative drugs and delivering them to patients is one of the best jobs to have and one we can all be proud of. In a field where progress can take many years and the odds of success for an individual medicine are very low, the challenge rests in pushing forward with passion, conviction, resilience, and patience through the many ups and downs along the way.”

Taka believes that inspiration lies in common purpose and shared success, and Daiichi Sankyo’s united purpose is to deliver new medicines to patients and the company maintains a focus on patient-centric innovation, research and development. Employees stay connected to patient perspectives and needs in various ways. Some may have had personal experience themselves or in their families. Others may hear first-hand patient stories and support patients through our organizations’ advocacy programs.

Equally as important, according to Taka, is that every employee plays a critical role in meeting the mission. He emphasizes that his early drug discovery success was only possible because of years of work by many, many dedicated people who developed and delivered the medicine to patients.

“Drug discovery and development is a challenge that team members tackle together,” said Taka, who has collaborated with many colleagues around the globe over the years and has been greatly impressed with their skill, dedication, and integrity. “I have seen what the talented people at Daiichi Sankyo can do for patients when we unite across functions and geographies and work as one team to achieve our goals.”

“By working together with our hearts and minds aligned towards a single purpose—to deliver innovative medicines to patients who need them—we have the special opportunity to make a positive difference in patient’s lives while advancing the organization’s mission and achieving professional and personal fulfillment. That is the ultimate definition of shared success.”