Hyogo, Japan – May 13, 2025 – JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (TSE 4552; “JCR”) today announced that, effective April 1, 2026, the company will implement a new leadership structure. The changes were approved at the Board of Directors meeting held earlier today. Under the new structure, Toru Ashida will assume the role of Chairman, and Hiroyuki Sonoda will become President. Current Chairman, President and CEO, Shin Ashida, will transition to the role of Founder and Director.
Changes in Representative Directors (including Chairman and President)
1. New Assignments of Representative Directors
| Name | New position | Current position |
|---|---|---|
| Toru Ashida | Representative Director Chairman |
Director, Senior Managing Executive Officer, Sales, Executive Director, Sales Division |
| Hiroyuki Sonoda | Representative Director President |
Director, Senior Managing Executive Officer, Research, Executive Director, Research Division |
| Shin Ashida | Director, Founder | Representative Director Chairman, President and CEO |
2. Reason for Changes
Since founding JCR in September 1975, Shin Ashida has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s growth, grounded in a deep and enduring commitment to innovation in biopharmaceutical research and manufacturing. As the company marks its 50th anniversary this September, this leadership transition reflects a generational shift aimed at further strengthening the management structure and driving long-term corporate value.
Details regarding other executive appointments will be announced once internal discussions have been concluded.
3. Effective Date
April 1, 2026
(Reference)
Brief Personal History of New Chairman
Name: Toru Ashida
Birthdate: October 31, 1968 (56 years old)
Birthplace: Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Education: March 1992 Graduated from Keio University, Faculty of Business and Commerce
Career
April 1992 – Joined Nippon Life Insurance Company
April 2002 – Appointed Representative Director and President at the establishment of JBS Co., Ltd. (clinical trial site support organization)
January 2014 – Joined the Company
July 2014 – Appointed Corporate Officer of the Company Executive Director of Corporate Business Support Division and Director of Corporate Strategy Department of the Company
April 2016 – Head of Office of the President of the Company
June 2018 – Appointed Senior Executive Director of the Company Head of Quality Assurance Division, Corporate Planning Division, and Medical Affairs Department of the Company
June 2019 – In charge of Corporate Strategy Head of Quality Assurance Division, Corporate Planning Division, Administration Division, and Medical Affairs Department of the Company
April 2020 – Executive Director of Sales Division of the Company (to present)
June 2020 – Appointed Vice President of the Company and in charge of Sales Division
June 2021 – Appointed Senior Vice President of the Company and in charge of Sales and Administration
April 2023 – In charge of Sales (to present)
June 2024 – Appointed Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer of the Company (to present)
Number of Shares Held
360,308 shares
Brief Personal History of New President
Name: Hiroyuki Sonoda, Ph.D.
Birthdate: June 15, 1978 (46 years old)
Birthplace: Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Education: September 2010 Graduated from Department of Chemical Science and Engineering Faculty of Engineering Graduate School of Engineering Kobe University (Doctor of Engineering)
Career
April 2003 – Joined the Company
April 2016 – Director of Corporate Planning Division (In charge of Research) of the Company
October 2017 – Leader of Frontier Research Unit and Director of Corporate Planning Division (In charge of Research) of the Company
April 2018 – Executive Director of Research Planning Division of the Company
June 2018 – Appointed Corporate Officer of the Company
June 2020 – Appointed Senior Executive Director of the Company and in charge of Research and Development Division Executive Director of Research Division, and Director of Drug Discovery Research Institute
June 2021 Appointed Vice President of the Company and in charge of Research and Corporate Strategy Executive Director of Research Division (to present)
October 2022 Representative Director and President of AlliedCel Corporation (Joint venture with Sysmex Corporation) (to present)
April 2023 In charge of Research (to present)
June 2024 Appointed Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer of the Company (to present)
Number of Shares Held
68,320 shares
About JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.
JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (TSE 4552) is a global specialty pharmaceuticals company that is expanding possibilities for people with rare and genetic diseases worldwide. We continue to build upon our50-year legacy in Japan while expanding our global footprint into the US, Europe, and Latin America. We improve patients’ lives by applying our scientific expertise and unique technologies to research, develop, and deliver next-generation therapies. Our approved products in Japan include therapies for the treatment of growth disorder, MPS II (Hunter syndrome), Fabry disease, acute graft-versus host disease, and renal anemia. Our investigational products in development worldwide are aimed at treating rare diseases including MPS I (Hurler, HurlerScheie and Scheie syndrome), MPS II, MPS IIIA and B (Sanfilippo syndrome type A and B), and more. JCR strives to expand the possibilities for patients while accelerating medical advancement at a global level. For more information, please visit https://www.jcrpharm.co.jp/en/site/en/.
Contact:
Investors & Media:
JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.
Corporate Communications
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