Daiichi Sankyo expands local footprint

Pharma News: Daiichi Sankyo has welcomed Dr Mark Rutstein, Head of Global Oncology Clinical Development, for a week-long visit. This marks the third visit from a global executive in as many months, underlining the company’s dedication to expanding its footprint in Australia.

During his visit, Dr Rutstein engaged in insightful discussions with leading cancer researchers and experts in Sydney and Melbourne. The primary focus was on ongoing research and development, addressing critical evidence gaps encountered in their work, and exploring avenues for further collaboration.

Dr Rutstein expressed his enthusiasm for the trip, stating “I’ve been wanting to come back to Australia for a while now. The trip has been a tremendous opportunity to both meet with the local team and world-class oncology researchers.”

He highlighted Australia’s significance as a market for Daiichi Sankyo, emphasising the extensive collaboration on DXd antibody drug conjugate (ADC) candidates. Currently, the company is actively involved with more than 40 sites across Australia, conducting 10 trials to evaluate DXd ADC technology, with plans for additional trials in the future.

Masaaki Kotaki, Managing Director of Daiichi Sankyo Australia, reflected on the significance of Dr Rutstein’s visit.

“We were honoured to host Dr Rutstein, our company’s third global leader to visit since we officially inaugurated Daiichi Sankyo Australia. The visit is further testament to our commitment to collaborating with Australia’s leading research community to develop the next generation of cancer medicines,” he said.

The visit coincides with Daiichi Sankyo’s ongoing expansion of its local team in Australia. Since January, seven new members have joined the Australian business, with plans for further expansion, including the introduction of field-based commercial team members, Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs), and a Human Resources (HR) generalist.

Mr Kotaki expressed confidence in the company’s growth, stating “With the strong global backing and successful launch of the Australian team in 2023, we are proud to continue to grow our local team. We have recruited exceptional talent who are committed to making a meaningful difference to patients with cancer in Australia.”

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