Danilo Cassani

Transformational Leader in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Zürich Metropolitan Area

About

With over 25 years of experience in executive roles across diverse regions, including Emerging Markets in the Middle East, CIS, Asia, and established markets like the UK, Italy, and Switzerland, I have built a strong reputation as a flexible and strategic leader in the pharmaceutical sector. My career, shaped by tenures at renowned multinationals such as AstraZeneca and Takeda, has been characterized by the consistent assumption of greater responsibilities, leading to my last role as SVP of Strategy at Takeda. Having lived in Italy, UK, Dubai, Singapore, and now Switzerland, I bring a unique multicultural perspective, enabling me to navigate and lead in diverse environments effectively. 🔹 Key Strengths: • Leadership & P&L Management: As interim President of Takeda Emerging Markets, I successfully manage the transition of a $5 billion business. My leadership in the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey regions has been pivotal in driving teams of over 1,200 employees toward success. • Business Development: I led the acquisition of a $200 million portfolio in Turkey while nurturing partnerships that facilitated significant growth and reorganization throughout the region. • Strategic Transformation: Notably, I directed the integration of Takeda and Shire across Emerging Markets, earning recognition for employee satisfaction and more recently delivering $150 million in savings through strategic reorganization initiatives. • Crisis Management: During the Ukraine invasion, I led the Takeda's crisis response while ensuring employee safety and compliance with international sanctions. • Digital Transformation: I pioneered the digital strategy in Emerging Markets, utilizing AI and omnichannel approaches to enhance customer engagements and operational efficiencies. 🔹 Professional Journey: My roles have spanned various key functions, from finance leadership to strategic operations, consistently focusing on enhancing performance and fostering team excellence. At AstraZeneca, I honed my skills in financial management and operations, which laid the groundwork for my later successes in Takeda. 🔹 Multilingual & Culturally Agile: Fluent in English and Italian, with basic proficiency in French, I am equipped to thrive in multicultural environments and facilitate effective communication across global teams. As I continue to leverage my broad experience in leading transformative initiatives in the pharmaceutical space, I’m passionate about driving innovation, developing talent, and contributing to impactful health solutions worldwide.

Experience

  • Takeda (13 yrs 1 mo)
    • Head of Strategy Global Portfolio Division
      Aug 2023 - Mar 2025 · 1 yr 8 mos

      The Global Portfolio Division (GPD) is a newly created organisation with Geographical and P&L responsibility for Europe, Canada, Emerging Markets and China as well as direct accountability for Global commercial, Global Medical and Global Vaccines. The strategy role is focused on supporting the GPD President to drive the direction and prioritisation of the organisation in the future. This requires deep knowledge of the company dynamics and complexities as well as the external dynamics that will influence the business trends.

    • VP Operations and Portfolio Management
      Feb 2023 - Jul 2023 · 6 mos

      Added responsibility of the commercial management of the entire portfolio to the previous role of Operations Head. This entailed taking product commercial responsibility across all Emerging Markets

    • Interim Emerging Markets President
      Apr 2022 - Jan 2023 · 10 mos

      Maternity cover for GEM President taking interim full P&L responsibility for a $5 Bill business across Emerging markets (Latam, Asia, Middle East and Russia/CIS)

  • AstraZeneca (13 yrs 11 mos)
    • Area Finance Director Middle East and North Africa (MENA) - Pharmaceutical
      Jan 2011 - Mar 2012 · 1 yr 3 mos

      Responsible for Finance, Procurement and IS/IT across Middle East and North Africa (50 people and 6 CFOs). Support Pharmaceutical business, Strategy and Operation

    • CFO Gulf countries, Iran and Pakistan - Pharmaceutical
      Sep 2008 - Mar 2011 · 2 yrs 7 mos

      Head of Finance, reporting into the GM and permanent member of local leadership team. Support pharmaceutical business and deliver strategy definition and execution

    • Business Information Director - Pharmaceutical Headquarter
      Sep 2003 - Sep 2008 · 5 yrs 1 mo

      Head of Global Business Information: Manage and coordinate business performance processes across all countries, business information support to President and CFO, full responsibility of the central budget ($100m), SOX-404, Corporate Governance and IFRS

  • Senior auditor - Specialised in Pharmaceutical industry at KPMG
    Nov 1992 - Apr 1998 · 5 yrs 6 mos

    Audit of Multinational and local companies. Specialized in the Pharmaceutical sector. Developed good understanding of UK, US GAAP, IAS and Italian GAAP. Senior auditor in due diligences. National and International Tax consultancy supporting senior advisors. Frequent links with KPMG audit