Daiichi Sankyo Executive and Leadership Team

May, 2026

Leadership Overview

Daiichi Sankyo has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, and operations.

Driven by innovation, Daiichi Sankyo is a global pharmaceutical leader dedicated to developing novel medicines and advanced drug delivery methods, serving patients across more than 30 countries with a commitment to improving health outcomes worldwide.

Leadership Roles at Daiichi Sankyo

  • Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer - Joji Nakayama
  • Chief of Staff To Chief Executive Officer - Kazuki Mori
  • Chief Financial Officer - Hiroyuki Okuzawa
  • Chief Financial Officer & Head, Global Corporate Planning & Management - Koji Ogawa
  • Manager, Chief Financial Officer Planning Department - Chloe Stern
  • President - Hiroshi Sugiyama
  • President - Suthas Thongprasert
  • Chief of Staff & Senior Director, Pharmaceutical Technology - Naoko Banker
  • Chief of Staff & Global System Owner - Kosuke Itagaki
  • Global Oncology Medical Affairs Chief of Staff - Caitlin Barnabo
  • Joji Nakayama - Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

    Joji Nakayama, the Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer at Daiichi Sankyo, directs the company's overarching strategy and global operations. Nakayama guides the organization's mission to develop and deliver innovative medicines, ensuring alignment with patient needs and market demands across over 30 countries. This leadership role involves setting the strategic vision for pharmaceutical technology advancements and drug discovery pipelines. By fostering a culture of scientific excellence, Joji Nakayama drives the company's commitment to improving global health outcomes. The Chief Executive Officer's focus extends to optimizing resource allocation and ensuring sustainable growth for Daiichi Sankyo's diverse portfolio. Nakayama's executive oversight ensures the company remains at the forefront of pharmaceutical innovation, addressing critical unmet medical needs through advanced research and development initiatives.

    Kazuki Mori - Chief of Staff To Chief Executive Officer

    Kazuki Mori, the Chief of Staff To Chief Executive Officer at Daiichi Sankyo, provides direct support to the CEO in executing strategic priorities and operational initiatives. Mori manages key projects, facilitates executive communications, and ensures seamless coordination across different business units. This role is vital for translating the CEO's vision into actionable plans that drive Daiichi Sankyo's global operations and pharmaceutical innovation. By streamlining executive workflows, Kazuki Mori enhances organizational efficiency and responsiveness. The Chief of Staff's responsibilities include preparing strategic briefings and coordinating leadership meetings. Mori's support is critical for the CEO's effectiveness in guiding Daiichi Sankyo's mission to develop and deliver life-changing medicines. This position ensures strategic alignment and operational excellence across the company.

    Hiroyuki Okuzawa - Chief Financial Officer

    Hiroyuki Okuzawa, the Chief Financial Officer at Daiichi Sankyo, manages the company's financial health and strategic fiscal planning. Okuzawa oversees all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and investment strategies, ensuring robust financial management across global markets. This critical role involves optimizing capital allocation to support Daiichi Sankyo's research and development initiatives and market expansion efforts. By providing financial insights, Hiroyuki Okuzawa enables informed decision-making for new drug development and commercialization. The Chief Financial Officer's responsibilities extend to managing investor relations and ensuring compliance with international financial regulations. Okuzawa's leadership ensures the financial stability required to pursue Daiichi Sankyo's mission of delivering innovative medicines to patients worldwide. This executive function is vital for sustaining the company's growth and its commitment to advancing global healthcare.
    Hiroyuki Okuzawa

    Koji Ogawa - Chief Financial Officer & Head, Global Corporate Planning & Management

    Koji Ogawa, the Chief Financial Officer & Head, Global Corporate Planning & Management at Daiichi Sankyo, orchestrates the company's financial strategy and long-term corporate planning. Ogawa directs financial resource allocation and oversees the development of strategic initiatives that drive sustainable growth across international markets. This dual role ensures financial discipline is integrated with forward-looking corporate planning, supporting Daiichi Sankyo's mission to deliver innovative medicines. By managing global corporate planning, Koji Ogawa aligns business objectives with financial capabilities, optimizing operational efficiency. The Chief Financial Officer's purview includes financial risk management and capital investment decisions. Ogawa's leadership is essential for navigating the complex global pharmaceutical landscape and ensuring the company's continued success in serving patients worldwide. This executive function underpins Daiichi Sankyo's commitment to scientific advancement and patient well-being.

    Chloe Stern - Manager, Chief Financial Officer Planning Department

    Chloe Stern, the Manager, Chief Financial Officer Planning Department at Daiichi Sankyo, supports the strategic financial planning and analysis functions. Stern contributes to the development of financial models and forecasts, ensuring resource alignment with company objectives. This role is integral to providing data-driven insights that inform executive financial decisions and investment strategies. By managing departmental planning, Chloe Stern enhances the efficiency and accuracy of financial operations. The Manager's responsibilities include coordinating budget processes and performance tracking across various business units. Stern's contributions are vital for maintaining Daiichi Sankyo's financial health and supporting its mission to deliver innovative medicines. This position plays a key part in the company's commitment to fiscal responsibility and strategic growth in the global pharmaceutical market.

    Hiroshi Sugiyama - President

    Hiroshi Sugiyama, the President at Daiichi Sankyo, leads significant operational divisions and drives strategic growth initiatives. Sugiyama oversees key business units, ensuring their alignment with the company's broader mission of delivering innovative pharmaceutical solutions. This leadership position involves guiding market strategies and fostering operational excellence across various regions. By directing divisional operations, Hiroshi Sugiyama contributes to Daiichi Sankyo's global expansion and its commitment to patient care. The President's responsibilities include managing cross-functional teams and optimizing resource deployment for maximum impact. Sugiyama's executive guidance is essential for advancing the company's pipeline of new medicines and enhancing its market presence. This role supports Daiichi Sankyo's dedication to improving global health outcomes through scientific advancement.

    Suthas Thongprasert - President

    Suthas Thongprasert, the President at Daiichi Sankyo, directs critical regional operations and spearheads market-specific strategic development. Thongprasert oversees the execution of business plans within designated territories, ensuring Daiichi Sankyo's medicines reach patients effectively. This leadership role focuses on adapting global strategies to local market needs and regulatory environments. By managing regional operations, Suthas Thongprasert enhances the company's footprint and patient access to innovative treatments. The President's responsibilities include fostering partnerships and driving commercial success in key markets. Thongprasert's expertise is vital for expanding Daiichi Sankyo's reach and fulfilling its mission to improve global health. This executive function supports the company's commitment to scientific innovation and patient well-being worldwide.

    Naoko Banker - Chief of Staff & Senior Director, Pharmaceutical Technology

    Naoko Banker, the Chief of Staff & Senior Director, Pharmaceutical Technology at Daiichi Sankyo, spearheads advancements in drug formulation and delivery systems. Banker directs the strategic implementation of cutting-edge pharmaceutical technologies, enhancing the efficacy and accessibility of medicines. This role involves close collaboration with research and development teams to translate scientific discoveries into viable therapeutic solutions. By overseeing technological integration, Naoko Banker ensures Daiichi Sankyo maintains its competitive edge in pharmaceutical innovation. The Chief of Staff's responsibilities include streamlining operational processes and supporting executive leadership in strategic decision-making. Banker's expertise in pharmaceutical technology is crucial for developing next-generation treatments that address significant patient needs globally. This position drives operational excellence and supports the company's mission to improve health outcomes through advanced science.

    Kosuke Itagaki - Chief of Staff & Global System Owner

    Kosuke Itagaki, the Chief of Staff & Global System Owner at Daiichi Sankyo, manages critical enterprise systems and supports executive decision-making. Itagaki oversees the implementation and maintenance of global IT infrastructure, ensuring operational continuity and data integrity across all business functions. This role is pivotal in harmonizing technological resources to support Daiichi Sankyo's strategic objectives in drug development and patient service. By acting as the Global System Owner, Kosuke Itagaki ensures that technological platforms effectively support the company's mission. The Chief of Staff's responsibilities include facilitating communication and coordination among various departments. Itagaki's leadership ensures that Daiichi Sankyo leverages technology efficiently to advance its global pharmaceutical operations and patient care initiatives. This executive function is key to maintaining operational excellence and driving innovation.

    Caitlin Barnabo - Global Oncology Medical Affairs Chief of Staff

    Caitlin Barnabo, the Global Oncology Medical Affairs Chief of Staff at Daiichi Sankyo, supports strategic initiatives within the oncology therapeutic area. Barnabo facilitates cross-functional collaboration among medical affairs, research, and commercial teams to advance oncology drug development and patient support programs. This role is crucial for ensuring the effective execution of medical strategies aimed at addressing critical cancer needs globally. By coordinating efforts, Caitlin Barnabo enhances the impact of Daiichi Sankyo's oncology portfolio. The Chief of Staff's responsibilities include managing key projects and communications within the medical affairs division. Barnabo's leadership is instrumental in driving Daiichi Sankyo's commitment to providing innovative treatments for cancer patients worldwide. This position supports the company's mission to improve health outcomes through specialized therapeutic advancements.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Daiichi Sankyo Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Daiichi Sankyo?
    Daiichi Sankyo is led by Joji Nakayama (Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Kazuki Mori (Chief of Staff To Chief Executive Officer) and Hiroyuki Okuzawa (Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Daiichi Sankyo’s executive team?
    The executive team of Daiichi Sankyo includes leaders such as Joji Nakayama (Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer), Kazuki Mori (Chief of Staff To Chief Executive Officer), Hiroyuki Okuzawa (Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Daiichi Sankyo have?
    Daiichi Sankyo has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Daiichi Sankyo’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Daiichi Sankyo includes roles such as Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief of Staff To Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer & Head, Global Corporate Planning & Management, Manager, Chief Financial Officer Planning Department.