Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited announced today that its Board of Directors unanimously resolved to appoint Julie Kim, currently President of the Company’s US Business Unit, to succeed Christophe Weber, Representative Director, President and CEO, who is scheduled to retire from the company in June 2026. As a prerequisite for this succession, the Company plans to propose Ms. Kim as a candidate for election as a new director at the Company’s Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in June 2026. Mr. Weber will retire as a director at the conclusion of the meeting.
Masami Iijima, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Nomination Committee of Takeda, said, “Building on the success of Takeda to date under Christophe Weber’s outstanding leadership, the Board of Directors unanimously selected Julie Kim to lead Takeda into a new phase of growth. Over the past 12 years, Christophe has transformed Takeda into a competitive, global, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company with a long-term sustainable business model. We thank him for his significant contributions to the development of our business and for his continued leadership and guidance to Julie over the next 18 months. Julie is an outstanding leader who has made many contributions to Takeda, including leading our US Business Unit and Plasma Derived Therapies Business Unit. She is experienced, will make business decisions based on Takeda’s values, uphold our corporate culture, and serve patients around the world.”
Regarding the selection process, Iijima said, “After a multi-year succession planning process, the Board of Directors determined that Julie Kim was the most suitable candidate from among both internal and external candidates. The selection process by the Nomination Committee and the Board of Directors was conducted carefully and appropriately.”
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“I have been working with the Board for several years to ensure a smooth succession plan. Given our strong growth prospects, expected new product launches from the second half of 2026 onwards, and the anticipated changes in our independent board of directors over the next few years, now is the right time to nominate a successor. I am thrilled that the Board has selected Julie. I have worked alongside her in the six years since she joined Takeda and have witnessed her values, intellect, courage and commitment to our colleagues and patients,” said Christophe Weber.
Julie Kim said, “Takeda is a great company and I am honored to be selected to lead it. Under Christophe’s incredible leadership, Takeda has become a global biopharmaceutical company with a promising late-stage pipeline. I am excited to lead Takeda into its next phase, working with such talented people while upholding the unwavering values-based culture that has been rooted in our more than 240-year history. I thank the Board for the confidence they have placed in me, and I look forward to working with the Board, the Takeda executive team and all of our colleagues to create and contribute long-term value to patients, shareholders and society.”
SOURCE: Businesswire
