The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson have announced that Chris Hourigan has been promoted to lead their operations across eight markets in Asia Pacific (APAC).

After five years as President of Janssen Japan, Hourigan will now report to the Worldwide Chairman for Pharmaceuticals in overseeing Janssen operations in Asia Pacific.

Hourigan is a highly respected member of the Japanese pharmaceutical industry, well recognised for his work to increase access to innovative medicines. As Chair of PhRMA Japan and previous board member of EFPIA Japan, Hourigan engaged with the Japanese Government on the value of pharmaceutical innovation and led an industry taskforce on new government HTA policy.

Hourigan has more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Since joining Janssen Australia in 2005, he has worked across five countries in positions of increasing responsibility. Before moving to Japan, this included successful roles as country manager for Australia & New Zealand, Vietnam, and New Zealand. He also worked in the United States as Global Marketing Lead for the Janssen Psychiatry business unit.

Hourigan succeeds Ai Hua Ong as Company Group Chairman, Pharmaceuticals, Asia Pacific. Ms. Ong has been appointed Head of Government Affairs & Policy for Johnson & Johnson in Asia Pacific where she will be responsible for the engagement of key government stakeholders to help shape health policy, medicines access, environmental regulation, and regulatory compliance.