Kyowa Kirin appoints Steve Schaefer as President, North America

Kyowa Kirin, Inc. (an affiliate of Japan's Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.) has appointed Steve Schaefer as President, North America, effective April 11.

Schaefer joins Kyowa Kirin North America (KKNA) after holding key leadership roles at top pharmaceutical companies, including Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly and Company.

He brings more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and a consistent record of accomplishments as a senior executive across multiple therapeutic areas. In his most recent role as Senior Vice President, Neuroscience Business Unit and Head of US Commercial Operations, Mr. Schaefer was responsible for a commercial portfolio of specialty medicines delivering multi-billion dollar annual revenues as well as commercial data and advanced analytics, forecasting, sales and marketing operations, and corporate training and leadership development.

Prior to Takeda, Schaefer held roles with Eli Lilly and Company in marketing, sales and general management.

Schaefer is a decorated veteran, serving as Captain, in the United States Marine Corps, and continues to be a strong advocate of veterans' causes. He holds a BA in economics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and an MBA from LaSalle University, Philadelphia.

Schaefer succeeds Gary Zieziula, who is retiring. Zieziula assumed the role as President, North America in April 2020, and led the company through a period of tremendous growth and change. Zieziula is returning to the North America Board of Directors where he will continue to advise and help facilitate a smooth transition.

KKNA is the fastest growing region in Kyowa Kirin's global footprint. The region markets first-in-class medicines in three therapeutic areas: neurology, oncology and rare disease. With nearly 600 employees in the US and Canada, KKNA now represents over a quarter of Kyowa Kirin's global revenues.