Takashi Owa is a pharmaceutical scientist and Senior Corporate Officer of the Oncology Business Group at Eisai Co., Ltd., where he leads oncology drug discovery through the strategic integration of therapeutic modalities and enabling technologies to address unmet medical needs.
With over 30 years of experience in pharmaceutical R&D, he has contributed to the advancement of medicinal chemistry and translational science. His work spans small molecules, natural product derivatives, targeted protein degraders, and antibody-based therapeutics, combining internal innovation with external collaboration.
He began his scientific training at the University of Tokyo and developed a stereoselective synthesis of a key amino acid in bleomycin A₂ during his doctoral studies. This early exposure to cutting-edge asymmetric synthesis shaped his enduring commitment to scientific innovation.
At Eisai, he promotes an empathy-driven approach to drug discovery, prioritizing patient needs and applying the most suitable modality for each challenge. He continues to champion innovation while mentoring the next generation of researchers in oncology therapeutics.