BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J. and TOKYO, April 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Chugai Pharma USA, LLC (CPUSA), Berkeley Heights, NJ a wholly owned subsidiary of Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Chugai) Tokyo, Japan, member of the Roche Group, appoints Athos Gianella-Borradori, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer of CPUSA.

Dr. Gianella-Borradori is an experienced pediatric hematologist-oncologist and executive with more than 20 years of international drug research and development experience, focusing on translational research and clinical development of novel therapeutic agents. He has held senior positions in research and development at Novartis (Switzerland), Crucell (The Netherlands), Bavarian Nordic (Germany), Cyclacel (United Kingdom), Merck Serono (Switzerland), and Clavis Pharma (Norway). 

Dr. Gianella-Borradori earned his medical degree at the University of Bern (Switzerland).  He is board certified in pediatric hematology and pediatric oncology, and practiced for several years at several university hospitals in Switzerland and US.

Dr. Gianella-Borradori has responsibility for all clinical activity in the U.S. and participates in a leadership role on scientific and translational committees in Japan at the parent company. He represents Chugai in relationships with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), academia, clinical investigators and patient communities, and is responsible for increasing the awareness of Chugai's impressive achievements in discovering and commercializing innovative pharmaceuticals to facilitate its expanding clinical activity in the U.S.

About Chugai Pharma USA, LLC (CPUSA)

Chugai Pharma USA, LLC (CPUSA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Chugai). CPUSA supports the planning and execution of global and U.S. clinical programs for Chugai originated innovative new drug candidates. 

About Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Chugai)

Chugai Pharmaceutical is one of Japan's leading research-based pharmaceutical companies with strengths in biotechnology products. Chugai, based in Tokyo, specializes in prescription pharmaceuticals and is listed on the 1st section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. As an important member of the Roche Group, Chugai is actively involved in R&D activities in Japan and abroad. Specifically, Chugai is working to develop innovative products which may satisfy the unmet 
medical needs, mainly focusing on the oncology area.

In Japan, Chugai's research facilities in Gotemba and Kamakura are collaborating to develop new pharmaceuticals and Ukima is conducting research for technology development for industrial production. Overseas, Chugai Pharmabody Research was established in Singapore in January 2012 for conducting research focusing on the generation of new antibody drugs by utilizing Chugai's proprietary innovative antibody engineering technologies. Chugai Pharma USA and Chugai Pharma Europe are engaged in clinical development activities in the United States and Europe.

The consolidated revenue in 2013 of Chugai totaled 423.7 billion yen and the operating income was 79.9 billion yen. We are aiming at the consolidated revenue of 451.0 billion yen and operating profit of 71.0 billion yen in IFRS core basis, in 2014.

Additional information is available on the Internet at http://www.chugai-pharm.co.jp/english/.

Disclaimer

This release contains certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "intends," "should," "seeks," "estimates," "future" or similar expressions or by discussion of strategy, goals, plans or intentions. Various factors may cause actual results to differ materially in the future from those reflected in forward-looking statements contained in this presentation among others: (1) pricing and product initiatives of competitors; (2) legislative and regulatory developments and economic conditions; (3) delay or inability in obtaining regulatory approvals or bringing products to market; (4) fluctuations in currency exchange rates and general financial market conditions; (5) uncertainties in the discovery, development or marketing of new products or new uses of existing products; (6) increased government pricing pressures; (7) interruptions in production; (8) loss of or inabilit
 y to obtain adequate protection for intellectual property rights; (9) litigation; (10) loss of key executives or other employees; and (11) adverse publicity or news coverage. 

Contact:
Casey Astringer
Manager, Business Process & Administration 
Chugai Pharma U.S.A., LLC
Tel: (908) 516-1350 
Email: info@chugai-pharm.com
URL: http://www.chugai-pharm.com

SOURCE Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.