NJBIZ has named Craig Bleifer, general counsel of Daiichi Sankyo Inc., a 2012 General Counsel of the Year.

The NJBIZ awards recognize general counsels and chief legal officers in the state of New Jersey who have demonstrated excellence in career successes, legal victories, professional services provided and community service. Bleifer was honored in the category of “Private Company with Revenues over $1 Billion.”

Bleifer, who also holds the titles of vice president and secretary, joined Daiichi Sankyo in 2000. During his 12-year tenure, he has established the pharmaceutical company's legal affairs department and helped to launch a line of nine commercialized products.

“It's been an honor to have built and grown the Daiichi Sankyo legal department into a multifunctional department since joining the company 12 years ago,” he said. “Whether handling commercial litigation, business development negotiations or defending patent cases, our department keeps the patients we help at the center of all that we do. It's how we stay motivated, innovative and focused.”