Takeda draws investor scrutiny for CEO's $93m 10-year payout

Japan pharma maker underperformed under Weber, critics say

Christophe Weber has been president of Takeda Pharmaceuticals for a decade after becoming the first foreign-born head of the Japanese drugmaker. (Source photos by Nikkei)

HINAKO BANNO and TAITO KUROSE, Nikkei staff writers

June 27, 2024 04:36 JST

TOKYO -- In the 10 years Christophe Weber has been president of Takeda Pharmaceutical, the Japanese drugmaker has more than doubled its revenue and he has earned just over 15 billion yen ($93.4 million) in total executive compensation.

Weber's payout is 6.5 times more than what the heads of Daiichi Sankyo had earned during the same 10 years, yet Takeda's market capitalization has fallen behind its domestic rival, which developed a blockbuster cancer treatment.