At Astellas, we are energetically expanding our business with the goal of becoming a Global Category Leader. We aim to put ourselves in a superior competitive position by supplying new drugs to the global market place in therapeutic fields where current therapeutic options are unsatisfactory.

Despite the impact of the strong yen our consolidated business performance for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 showed an increase in revenues thanks to growth in global products such as Vesicare, a treatment for overactive bladder and domestic mainstay products. Profit was down from the previous fiscal year on account of our increased spending in research and development and other factors. Astellas currently faces difficult conditions such as the effect of the launch of generics following the expiration of the U.S. patents for two of its mainstay products, immunosuppressant Prograf and Harnal, a treatment for functional symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, by steadily implementing strategies for mid- to long-term growth while fully utilizing the strengths of Astellas, we can overcome the decrease in sales and income and accelerate growth to a new stage. The actual strategies that we shall follow to achieve this end were announced in May this year in the new five-year mid-term management plan for fiscal years 2010 through 2014.

At Astellas, our full energy is devoted to further pursuing the interests of patients, creating innovative and reliable new pharmaceutical products and delivering them to patients across the world.
We beseech your continued support.