Japanese drug giant Eisai Co. has appointed Keisuke Naito, the son of its CEO, as the leader of its global Alzheimer drug program. Naito, 34, will assume the position of acting global Alzheimer’s officer on July 31. He has been with the company for 10 years and is a member of Eisai’s founding family. Throughout his tenure, Naito has held various roles, including chief strategy and planning officer.
Naito’s appointment comes at a crucial time for Eisai. The company is facing growing competition in the Alzheimer’s drug market. In June, Eisai and its partner Biogen Inc. received FDA approval for Leqembi, a new drug for treating Alzheimer’s disease. However, Leqembi faces competition from other medications, such as Biogen’s Aduhelm.
Eisai’s decision to appoint Naito reflects its commitment to the Alzheimer’s drug program. The company has made significant investments in Alzheimer’s research and development and aims to introduce additional new drugs in the future.
Eisai CEO Haruo Naito expressed confidence in his son’s ability to lead the Alzheimer’s drug program. He highlighted Keisuke’s comprehensive understanding of the business and strategy. Keisuke Naito himself expressed honor at the appointment and emphasized his dedication to collaborating with the team to deliver innovative treatments for Alzheimer’s patients.
The performance of Keisuke Naito in his new role will be closely observed. Despite being a young and relatively inexperienced executive, he enjoys the support of his father and the rest of the Eisai leadership team. If successful, Naito has the potential to become a significant player in the competitive Alzheimer’s drug market.
