Eric Terhaerdt has been named senior vice president of Global Development Operations for Astellas Pharma, based in Tokyo, Japan. Terhaerdt will be located at Astellas' headquarters for the Americas in Northbrook, Ill., and will report to Dr. Bernie Zeiher, executive vice president, Global Development and Therapeutic Area head: immunology, infectious disease, transplantation and central nervous system and pain, with Astellas Pharma Global Development.

Terhaerdt will be responsible for establishing the global direction of the drug development operations of Astellas in the Netherlands and the U.S. and will work closely with Japan Development Operations to ensure global operational effectiveness and efficiency. As a key direct report to the executive vice president of Global Development, he will play an instrumental role in defining development strategy and ensuring the effective and efficient development of the Astellas product portfolio.

Terhaerdt spent over 20 years with AstraZeneca, working in a variety of global leadership roles with increasing responsibility in the areas of clinical research, clinical development, clinical quality, strategy and performance and scientific and technical evaluations.