Pharmaceutical Processing World

  • Home
  • Regulatory
    • Recalls
  • Pharmaceutical Processing
  • Facility
  • Supply Chain
  • Equipment and Materials
  • Contract Manufacturing
  • Resources
    • Voices
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE

Astellas Details Pipeline Progress at R&D Meeting

By Pharmaceutical Processing | July 11, 2014

Astellas announced progress on the company’s efforts to reshape its research framework at its R&D meeting held in Tokyo on July 10. The meeting provided an opportunity for Astellas to present a comprehensive overview of its late-stage clinical programs and corporate strategy. The purpose of the meeting was to provide an update on the initiatives for Astellas innovation, drug discovery research and pipeline progress.

Yoshihiko Hatanaka, president and CEO, opened the meeting by discussing how Astellas will continue to drive sustainable growth through maximizing the value of product portfolio, pursuing operational excellence and enhancing innovation through reshaping the company’s research framework, and developing network research systems by more utilizing external resources. The full presentation, including details of the corporate strategy can be found in the webcast available here: http://www.astellas.com/en/ir/library/presentation_02.html.

Sef Kurstjens, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer, provided a development overview of the following compounds:

— In May 2014, Astellas and Medivation received priority review from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for enzalutamide (known commercially as XTANDI) in chemotherapy-naive advanced prostate cancer. Development progress in clinical trials for the treatment of breast cancer was also highlighted.

— Phase 2 results of roxadustat (ASP1517/FG-4592) demonstrated that the compound is effective in treating anemia correction and maintenance in both dialysis and non-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease. In collaboration with FibroGen, six Phase 3 studies will support the European filings for both dialysis and non-dialysis indications.

— A global Phase 3 program is now underway evaluating the safety and efficacy of the concomitant use of solifenacin (known commercially as VESIcare) and mirabegron (known commercially as Myrbetriq@) for the treatment of overactive bladder.

— Astellas has submitted a U.S. New Drug Application for isavuconazole for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis and invasive mucormycosis.

— The company is preparing to start the Phase 3 program in Japan for ASP015K, a JAK inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis that has recently completed Phase 2b studies.

In May 2013, Astellas formed a strategic alliance with Amgen to develop and commercialize five Amgen pipeline medicines in Japan.

Development updates for three of those products were also highlighted at the meeting, including rilotumumab (AMG 102) for gastric cancer, evolocumab (AMG 145) for hyperlipidemia, and romosozumab (AMG 785) for osteoporosis.

“Astellas has a long track record of delivering value to shareholders through efficient investment in R&D. This investment has provided several important new treatment options that have helped to meet patients’ unmet medical needs,” said Kurstjens. “As a result of our efforts, we have established Global Category Leadership positions in urology and transplantation and an emerging GCL position in oncology.

We’re pleased with our pipeline progress in these therapeutic categories and are excited about our future prospects to expand our R&D efforts to explore additional areas of unmet medical needs.” Wataru Uchida, Ph.D., senior vice president, drug discovery research, discussed our research initiatives and provided details of potential new therapeutic areas that Astellas is pursuing, as well as novel technology platforms that the company is utilizing, including ClearPath, ADC and regenerative medicine. In addition, Uchida discussed the preclinical research achievements for ASP2215, a potential treatment for leukemia, and ASP8273, a potential treatment for non-small cell lung cancer patients with EGFR mutations.  

Related Articles Read More >

This is a screenshot from a Varda Space Industries promotional video showing a space capsule with the company's logo docking onto a satellite.
Varda raises $187M Series C for drug manufacturing in space
This is the logo of Hikma.
Hikma to spend another $1B on US manufacturing, R&D
Great Point Partners logo.
Great Point Partners acquires majority stake in Eutecma to fuel sustainable cold chain growth
Driving success in fast-paced high-tech pharma construction projects
“ppw
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest news, technologies, and developments in Pharmaceutical Processing.

DeviceTalks Tuesdays

DeviceTalks Tuesdays

MEDTECH 100 INDEX

Medtech 100 logo
Market Summary > Current Price
The MedTech 100 is a financial index calculated using the BIG100 companies covered in Medical Design and Outsourcing.
Pharmaceutical Processing World
  • Subscribe to our E-Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • R&D World
  • Drug Delivery Business News
  • Drug Discovery & Development
  • DeviceTalks
  • MassDevice
  • Medical Design & Outsourcing
  • MEDICAL TUBING + EXTRUSION
  • Medical Design Sourcing
  • Medtech100 Index
  • R&D 100 Awards

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Pharmaceutical Processing World

  • Home
  • Regulatory
    • Recalls
  • Pharmaceutical Processing
  • Facility
  • Supply Chain
  • Equipment and Materials
  • Contract Manufacturing
  • Resources
    • Voices
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE