Former Senior Vice President
Global Head of Research and Development Quality Assurance
Takeda Pharmaceuticals Company, Ltd.
- BS, Pharmacy, Purdue University, 1973
- Contributing to the launch of multiple new drugs
- Creating multiple high performing teams
- Working alongside very talented pharmaceutical professionals
- Developing quality management systems
- Participating in pharmaceutical trade organizations that support the pharmaceutical industry
Louise Johnson earned her BS in Pharmacy from Purdue University in 1973. She began her career at Eli Lilly and Company as a technical services associate and advanced within the company to eventually become Director of Quality Operations during her 29-year tenure. As the director of Quality Operations, Louise was responsible for the development of strategic communications with the Food and Drug Administration and maintained a corporate good manufacturing compliance plan that covered multiple manufacturing and development sites.
In 2002, Louise left Eli Lilly and Company and accepted the role of Vice President of Quality at Vertex Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge, Massachusetts. At Vertex, she was responsible for all aspects of quality including strategic, corporate direction for good manufacturing practices, good clinical practices, and good laboratory practices operations and interactions with regulatory agencies. Additionally, she oversaw the design and execution of all quality systems and audited internal and external operations. In 2007, she became Vice President of Quality at Aptuit, Inc. in Greenwich, Connecticut, where she led the Corporate Compliance office and was accountable for the compliance for all the facilities worldwide.
Until March 31, 2016, Louise served as the Senior Vice President, Global Head of Research and Development Quality Assurance for Takeda Pharmaceuticals. In this role, she had global responsibility for the R&D QA organization, governance, and quality systems all designed to ensure optimal regulatory compliance and attention to quality matters.