New pharma giant’s U.S. facility to focus on research and development

04/01/2005

DEERFIELD, IL-The merger of two pillars of Japanese pharmaceutical manufacturing has resulted in a new corporation that ranks in the top 20 globally and a U.S. operations that will be headquartered here amidst the growing pharmaceutical industry in Illinois.

Astellas Pharma Inc. is the new corporate name resulting from the merger of Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., and Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.-founded in 1894 and 1923 respectively. The new pharma giant will focus on developing breakthrough products for immunology, infectious disease, dermatology, urology and cardiovascular disease.

The U.S. headquarters, Astellas Pharma US, Inc. (www.astellas.com/us), will focus its energies on product discovery and development. The company’s mission is to develop and commercialize innovative products in select therapeutic areas, or franchises. The company already manufacturers several prescription drugs that work to prevent organ rejection after transplant, treat overactive bladder, and fight dermatitis and invasive fungal infections. Several drugs designed for use in cardiovascular, dermatology, immunology, urology, and gastrointestinal therapeutics are currently under clinical trials.

“We believe that our long-term strategy for growing established franchise businesses will distinguish us as a company focused on developing breakthrough treatments rather than only blockbuster products,” explains Makoto Nishimura, Ph.D., chairman and CEO of Astellas Pharma US.

The company says it is refining its R&D network in all of its global locations, with an annual budget of $1.3 billion, while developing licensed projects with a variety of partners. III