Astellas Nirelle Tolstoshev to run for Medicines Australia Board as leadership changes unfold

Recently appointed General Manager of Astellas Australia, Nirelle Tolstoshev, has announced her candidacy for a position on the Board of Directors for Medicines Australia.

Tolstoshev, who stepped into her current role in July 2024, brings over two decades of experience in the Australian pharmaceutical industry, including a distinguished career at MSD and Organon, the world’s largest biopharmaceutical company dedicated to women’s health.

Reflecting on her decision, Tolstoshev stated, “I am two months in role here at Astellas and have been in the Australian pharmaceutical industry for over 25 years. I have a unique depth of local knowledge, extensive payor experience, and a strong commitment to delivering outcomes for Australian patients.”

Australia remains a strategic priority for Astellas, which has seen significant growth in the past year. The company, with over 14,500 employees globally, continues to lead in areas such as transplant, urology, oncology, and women’s health.

Tolstoshev’s nomination coincides with the resignation of Lizzie Marett from the Medicines Australia board. Marett, who transitioned from her role as General Manager to a position within the Astellas Global Transformation Office in April 2024, expressed her support for Tolstoshev’s candidacy.

“Given the change in my role at Astellas, I will be resigning from the Board. I fully support and endorse Nirelle’s nomination and wish her every success,” Marett said.

She also extended her gratitude to her colleagues, adding, “I’d like to thank my fellow board members, Chair Dr Anna Lavelle, and CEO Liz de Somer for their thoughtful support and guidance and the Executive Leadership team for their continued commitment to the success of the organisation.”

In other developments, Astellas is currently pursuing local regulatory approval for avacincaptad pegol (ACP), a complement C5 inhibitor, for the treatment of Geographic Atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Recent data from a post hoc analysis of the GATHER1 and GATHER2 studies demonstrated ACP’s efficacy in reducing GA growth rates over 18 months, with the treatment effect nearly doubling every six months. These findings were shared at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting in May.

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