Pharmaceutical News

Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2011 - Astellas Pharma Inc. (Tokyo:4503,“Astellas”) announced that the Societe Internationale d’Urologie (SIU) presented its senior science advisor (and former chairman), Dr. Toichi Takenaka with the “SIU Distinguished Partner Award” at the organization’s 31st World Congress’ Opening Ceremonies yesterday in Berlin, Germany. This award was given to recognize support of the SIU over the course of many years and contributions to drug discovery in the field of urology.

 

Founded in 1907, the SIU is comprised of over 4,400 members from over 120 countries around the world. The organization’s mission is to enable urologists in all nations to apply the highest standards of urological care to their patients by supporting urologists in helping communication of scientific information, promoting formal and informal relations between national urological societies, and fostering cooperation between urologists from all around the world. Astellas has been supporting the SIU for many years by sponsoring the “Astellas Award” to recognize outstanding research in the field of urology since 1994.

 

Astellas established a global leading position in urology through offering a treatment for functional symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia known as Harnal^® in Japan and Omnic^® / Omnic OCAS^®  in Europe, and a treatment for overactive bladder, Vesicare^®. Astellas launched a treatment for overactive bladder with a new mechanism of action, mirabegron (generic name) , in September 2011 in Japan (product name in Japan: Betanis^®), and submitted new drug applications for mirabegron in the U.S. and Europe in August 2011.

 

Astellas will continue supporting the SIU’s efforts to enhance medical care in the field of urology.

 

* Societe Internationale d’Urologie website:http://www.siu-urology.org/
 

Tokyo, September 28, 2011 -Astellas Pharma Inc. (Tokyo:4503, “Astellas”) announced that it has decided to discontinue the global development of darexaban maleate (generic name, development code name: YM150, “darexaban”), an oral direct Factor Xa inhibitor for all indications.

 

Astellas had been developing darexaban globally for the indications of preventing venous thromboembolism after major orthopedic surgery, stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and ischemic events prevention in acute coronary syndrome. Astellas had been considering the appointment of a partner for the Phase III clinical development and commercialization of darexaban for these indications rather than developing and commercializing it alone. However, Astellas concluded that finding a suitable partner has been difficult and considering intensified competition for this product and the order of priority in its pipeline, Astellas has decided to discontinue development of darexaban for all indications.

 

Discontinuation of darexaban development will not influence Astellas’ current fiscal year (ending March 31, 2012) financial forecast.