Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization Announces Astellas’ Walt Johnston as New Chairman

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Astellas’ Walt Johnston has been elected as chairman of the iBIO and
iBIO Institute Boards of Directors. He succeeds Timothy P Walbert,
Horizon Pharma, who served as chairman for the past two years and who
will continue to serve on the Board and Executive Committee as Immediate
Past Chairman.

iBIO, founded in 2002, is the industry organization representing life
sciences companies in the biomedical pharmaceutical, medical device and
food and bio agricultural sectors in Illinois. iBIO has over 100 members
ranging from early-stage startup to Fortune 500 companies.

The iBIO Institute was established in 2003 by iBIO to orchestrate
business leadership in delivery of world-class educational programs and
job-creating new technology ventures.

Walt Johnston is senior vice president, sales and marketing, urology and
hospital business unit at Astellas. In this role, he is responsible for
leading Astellas’ US commercial activities. Johnston is a member of the
Astellas US Management Committee and Portfolio Steering Committee
Executive Committee.

Johnston joined Astellas in 2008 as vice president, marketing and new
product planning, where he led all strategic marketing activities for
on-market and development products for the United States business.

“Walt’s commitment to establishing Chicago and Illinois as a thriving
biopharmaceutical and life sciences hub, along with his business acumen
makes him an ideal person for this role,” said iBIO Interim President
and CEO, John Conrad. “Astellas is a leading organization in our
community and having Walt’s caliber of leadership as our chairman will
be an invaluable asset to our organization and members.”

Prior to joining Astellas, Johnston worked at Pfizer for 18 years in
positions of increasing responsibility for marketing and sales, where he
drove key strategic initiative for the cardiovascular portfolio,
including Lipitor and Caduet.

“I am honored to be elected chairman and look forward to working with
iBIO’s leadership to continue to make Illinois a globally recognized
life sciences center,” said Johnston. “Our community has all of the
elements needed to cultivate a sustainable biotech and science
ecosystem, and it’s exciting to be a part of the continued growth and
innovation.”

About the Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization

iBIO’s mission is to make Illinois and the surrounding Midwest one of
the world’s top life sciences centers: a great place to do business and
a great place to grow technology ventures.

iBIO’s Leadership Sponsors are AbbVie, Astellas US, Horizon Pharma,
Shire and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America.

About the iBIO Institute

The iBIO Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that focuses on
orchestrating business leadership in delivery of world-class,
educational programs and job-creating new technology ventures.

Contacts

iBIO
John Conrad, 312-422-1111
[email protected]
www.ibio.org