Kyowa Kirin Integrates North America Businesses in Support of Company's 2030 Vision and Rapid Growth Trajectory

Rhea-AI Summary

Kyowa Kirin, Inc. announces the merger of its research and development divisions into a streamlined entity, effective April 1, 2021. This initiative aims to enhance productivity and collaboration across North America, contributing to the company's growth and alignment with its New 2030 Vision. Since 2017, annual revenues from KKNA medicines have surged from $25M to over $500M. Key organizational changes include leadership promotions and plans to file for mogamulizumab approval in Canada in 2021, reflecting a commitment to addressing patient needs through innovative specialty medicines.

Positive

• Annual revenues from KKNA medicines increased from $25M in 2017 to over $500M in 2020.
• The NABI initiative aims to enhance operational efficiency and market expansion.
• Plans to file mogamulizumab with Health Canada in 2021 indicate a focus on growth.

Negative

• None.

BEDMINSTER, N.J., March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kyowa Kirin, Inc., an affiliate of Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. (Kyowa Kirin, TSE: 4151) a global specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced a key milestone in its North American Business Integration (NABI) initiative; specifically, the merger of its Kyowa Kirin Research and Kyowa Kirin Development companies into Kyowa Kirin, Inc. The outcome of this merger is a simpler business structure for the organization and a common set of processes and systems to enhance the productivity and collaborations across North America discovery, development and commercial functions. This new structure will enable the region's continued rapid growth and contributions toward the global organization's New 2030 Vision, with a steady focus on creating and delivering novel medicines for patients.

All organizational changes under the NABI initiative take effect on April 1, 2021. Kyowa Kirin Canada, Inc. and BioWa, Inc., both maintain their current structure as subsidiaries of Kyowa Kirin, Inc. and Kyowa Kirin USA Holdings, Inc. respectively. A management agreement between Kyowa Kirin, Inc. and each subsidiary provides for access to key business services.

"We've received several FDA approvals since 2018 and continue to see great promise in our late-stage global pipeline. The organizational changes we are making through NABI will help Kyowa Kirin North America deliver the full value of these opportunities," says Gary Zieziula, President, Kyowa Kirin North America. "Through NABI, we're working to enable more efficient collaborations and business support for the functions that discover, develop and deliver first-in-class medicines that can have a profound impact on patients' lives."

Between 2017 and 2020, annual revenues from KKNA medicines have grown from $25M to more than $500M. The NABI initiative will further serve KKNA in its rapid growth and expansion into new markets, including Canada, and is aligned with Kyowa Kirin's global priorities to:

• Maximize the full value of the organization's portfolio to address patient needs
• Leverage cutting-edge science and expertise in biotechnology, including antibody engineering, to build a pipeline that will drive global business growth beyond 2025
• Pursue world-class product quality and operational excellence
• Strengthen the organization with diverse talent and digital systems
  

"This major initiative will unify our way of thinking and help KKNA navigate an exciting but rapid growth trajectory," said Tara D'Orsi, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Kyowa Kirin North America. "With the integration of the North America-based entities, we will now utilize common processes, systems and documentation to support workflow across functions. We believe this will help us conduct business with enhanced speed, compliance and teamwork, which is key to our mission to deliver medicines that have a profound impact for patients."

In addition to the integration of legal entities, KKNA has further strengthened its leadership team in 2021 with the addition and promotion of several senior executives with responsibility for key functions that support regional operations and stakeholder engagement:

• Britt Byers, Senior Vice President of Human Resources
• Nancy Maher, Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer  
• Casilda Barnes, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs
• Lauren Walrath, Vice President of Public Affairs

Additionally, the organization appointed Doug Grant as General Manager, Canada. The organization is proceeding with plans to file mogamulizumab (Poteligeo^®) with Health Canada in 2021, in addition to building a rare disease business unit.

KKNA's diverse, highly collaborative team works across functions and regions to build a strong specialty medicines portfolio, while maintaining the highest ethical standards. The organization's success depends on teamwork/Wa, a core Japanese principle that harnesses the talent and expertise of individuals toward a common purpose of advancing innovations with a profound impact on patient lives.

About Kyowa Kirin North America
Kyowa Kirin strives to create and deliver novel medicines with life-changing value. As a Japan-based Global Specialty Pharmaceutical Company, we apply cutting-edge science and expertise in antibody research and engineering to address the needs of patients and society across multiple therapeutic areas, including Nephrology, Oncology, Immunology/Allergy and Neurology. Across four global regions – Japan, Asia Pacific, North America and EMEA/International – we are united by our shared values of commitment to life, teamwork/Wa, innovation, and integrity, and a drive to advance innovations that have a profound impact on patients. You can learn more about Kyowa Kirin North America at: https://kkna.kyowakirin.com.

CONTACT:
Lauren Walrath
Vice President, Public Affairs – North America
lauren.walrath.g4@kyowakirin.com
646-526-4454

 

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SOURCE Kyowa Kirin, Inc.

FAQ

What is the purpose of Kyowa Kirin's NABI initiative?

The NABI initiative aims to streamline business processes in North America to enhance productivity and collaboration.

When did the merger within Kyowa Kirin take effect?

The merger of Kyowa Kirin's research and development divisions took effect on April 1, 2021.

What significant revenue growth did Kyowa Kirin experience from 2017 to 2020?

Kyowa Kirin's annual revenues from KKNA medicines grew from $25M in 2017 to over $500M in 2020.

What are Kyowa Kirin's plans for mogamulizumab in Canada?

Kyowa Kirin plans to file for mogamulizumab (Poteligeo) approval with Health Canada in 2021.

Who are some of the new leaders in Kyowa Kirin North America?

Kyowa Kirin North America appointed several new executives, including Britt Byers (SVP of Human Resources) and Doug Grant (General Manager, Canada).