Takeshi Ito

Takeshi Ito is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Santen), a global leader in the field of ophthalmology research and development as well as the production and marketing of related pharmaceuticals and medical devices, since September 2022. He has 40 years of experience and knowledge in the pharma business and has a deep understanding of Santen’s Core Principle and its meaning. In this position, Takeshi is integrating his expertise and insights of Santen's core businesses in ophthalmology including the Japan business into global strategic execution.

Takeshi joined Santen in 1982 and began his career as a medical representative. Since then, he has contributed to the expansion of the Japan business in various roles including business development, R&D, surgical applications as well as sales and marketing. Prior to being appointed President and CEO, Takeshi served as Corporate Officer, Senior Corporate Officer, Director, and Executive Vice President.

Among the many positions that Takeshi has held at Santen, Takeshi was named Director in 2017 where he promoted the optimization of management resources by leveraging the company’s strengths to the patients. As Corporate Officer in 2012, Takeshi focused on developing products that reduced the burdens of treatment on patients and solutions that helped to resolve pressing issues for sale and marketing. Emphasizing both the lifecycle management of core products and the enhancement of organizational capabilities, Takeshi contributed to increased sales and profits by devising business strategies that integrated patient, medical-practice, and management perspectives as well as strengthened the company’s business foundation.

As President and CEO, Takeshi will take the initiative to contribute to ophthalmology around the world as a keen advocate of patients and caregivers and will strive to continuously improve the corporate value.

Takeshi holds a bachelor’s degree in science from Kwansei Gakuin University, Japan.