History

Overview

In 2005, Astellas Pharma Inc. was established through the merger of the former Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd and former Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. This merger brought together Yamanouchi's strengths in urological medications and chemical synthesis and Fujisawa's excellence in the transplant/immunology area and fermentation technology, forming an ideal complementary partnership.

Since its establishment, Astellas has been consistent in its commitment to continuously unlocking innovation and delivering innovative medical solutions that meet the needs of patients. Our VISION is to be on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into VALUE for patients, and we will continue challenging ourselves to achieve this goal.

Astellas Pharma Inc. 2005-2014

Apr. 2005
Astellas Pharma Inc. (Astellas) was established by merging the former Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and the former Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Apr. 2006
Astellas sold Zephama, operating in the over-the-counter drug business, to Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. in Japan.

Oct. 2007
Astellas launched Geninax^TM, an oral new-type quinololone antibacterial agent in Japan.

Dec. 2007
Astellas acquired Agensys, Inc., a biotechnology company in the U.S.

Jun. 2010
Astellas acquired OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company in the U.S.

Jul. 2011
Astellas launched Betanis^TM in Japan for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB).

Oct. 2011
Astellas signed United Nations Global Compact.

Mar. 2012
Astellas launched a wind turbine power generation station and a woodchip biomass boiler in the Kerry Plant in Ireland.

Jul. 2012
Astellas participated in a new public-private partnership to develop a treatment for schistosomiasis-infected preschool children.

Sept. 2012
Astellas launched XTANDI^TM in the U.S. for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Oct. 2012
Astellas launched Gonax^TM in Japan for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Oct. 2012
Astellas entered collaborative new drug discovery research with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) for neglected tropical diseases caused by protozoan parasites.

Oct. 2012
Astellas launched MYRBETRIQ^TM in the U.S. for the treatment of OAB.

Mar. 2013
Astellas and UCB Japan Co. Ltd. launched Cimzia^TM in Japan for the treatment of adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Apr. 2013
Astellas announced participation in Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund).

Apr. 2014
Astellas launched Suglat^TM in Japan for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

May 2014
Astellas funded a €1.5 million groundbreaking program to tackle obstetric fistula in Kenya.

May 2014
Astellas launched XTANDI^TM in Japan for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Astellas Pharma Inc. 2015-

Feb. 2016
Astellas acquired Ocata Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company in the U.S.

Apr. 2016
Astellas launched Repatha^TM in Japan for the treatment of high cholesterol.

Oct. 2016
Astellas and World Anti-Doping Agency announced global initiative to prevent misuse and abuse of medicines for doping in sports.

Dec. 2016
Astellas acquired Ganymed Pharmaceticals AG, a biopharmaceutical company in Germany.

Jan. 2017
Astellas participated in Access Accelerated, a global initiative aimed at improving access to non-communicable disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Mar. 2017
Astellas launched LINZESS^TM in Japan for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.

May 2017
Astellas acquired Ogeda SA, a drug discovery company in Belgium.

Oct. 2017
Astellas entered into a new collaborative research agreement with TB Alliance to discover anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Oct. 2017
Astellas entered into a screening collaboration agreement with Medicines for Malaria Venture to discover antimalarial drugs.

Jan. 2018
Astellas acquired Mitobridge, Inc., a bio-venture company in the U.S.

Feb. 2018
Astellas acquired Universal Cells, Inc., a bio-venture company in the U.S.

Mar. 2018
Astellas participated in Neglected Tropical Diseases Drug Discovery Booster consortium with Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) and seven other pharmaceutical companies.

Aug. 2018
Astellas acquired Quethera Limited, a bio-venture company in the U.K.

Sept. 2018
Astellas launched Dafclir^TMin Japan for the treatment of infectious enteritis caused by Clostridium difficile.

Nov. 2018
Science Based Targets Initiative approved Astellas’ greenhouse gas reduction plan.

Nov. 2018
Astellas launched BLINCYTO^TM in Japan for the treatment of relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Nov. 2018
Astellas launched the Astellas Global Health Foundation to support improving access to health for underserved populations.

Dec. 2018
Astellas launched XOSPATA^TM in Japan and the U.S. to provide a therapeutic option for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

Dec. 2018
Astellas acquired Potenza Therapeutics Inc., a biotechnology company in the U.S.

Mar. 2019
Astellas launched EVENITY^TM in Japan for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Jul. 2019
Astellas launched Smyraf^TM in Japan for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in patients.

Nov. 2019
Astellas launched Evrenzo^TM in Japan for the treatment of renal anemia in patients on dialysis.

Dec. 2019
Astellas acquired Xyphos Biosciences, Inc., a biotechnology company in the U.S.

Dec. 2019
Astellas launched PADCEV^TM in the U.S. for the treatment of urothelial cancer.

Jan. 2020
Astellas acquired Audentes Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company in the U.S.

Apr. 2020
Astellas acquired Nanna Therapeutics Limited, a biotechnology company in the U.K.

Oct. 2020
Astellas acquired iota Biosciences, Inc., a start-up company in the U.S.

Dec. 2020
Astellas supported recommendations of Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

Mar. 2021
Astellas established Astellas Gene Therapies as its Global Gene Therapy Center of Excellence.

Jul. 2021
Astellas began providing Holter ECG analysis service using AI.

Jul. 2021
Astellas was named to FTSE4Good Index Series for 10th consecutive year.

Oct. 2021
Astellas began using environmentally friendly biomass-based plastic for blister packages, the primary packaging for drugs, for the first time in the world.

Feb. 2022
Astellas initiated support program to provide charitable donations to four organizations focused on improving access to health.

Jul. 2022
Astellas established new manufacturing lines for aseptic drug products at Yaizu Technology Center.

Jan. 2023
Astellas received Science Based Targets initiatives (SBTi) approval for revised Science-Based Climate Goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

May 2023
VEOZAH^TM for treatment of vasomotor symptoms due to menopause was approved by U.S. FDA.

Jul. 2023
Astellas acquired Iveric Bio, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company in the U.S.

Aug. 2023
IZERVAY^TM for treatment of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration was approved by U.S. FDA.

Oct. 2023
Astellas established TME iLab, an open innovation hub for tumor microenvironment research.

Oct. 2023
Astellas established SakuLab^TM-Tsukuba in Astellas Tsukuba Research Center.

Dec. 2023
Astellas established a new biotech campus in the U.S.

Dec. 2023
Astellas acquired Propella Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company in the U.S.

Mar. 2024
VYLOY^TM for treatment of gastric cancer was approved in Japan.

Former Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 1923-2005

1923
Kenji Yamauchi founded Yamanouchi Yakuhin Shokai in Osaka.

Changed the name to Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. in 1940.
Moved the head office to Tokyo in 1942.

1970
Launched antibiotic drug Josamycin.

1981
Launched Perdipine, an agent for the treatment of hypertension.

1985
Launched Gaster, an H2 receptor antagonist.
Currently sold in more than 100 countries.

1986
Established Yamanouchi Ireland Co., Ltd. in Europe, the first overseas production base for active pharmaceutical ingredients.

1989
Tsukuba laboratory completed.

1990
Acquired the pharmaceutical division of Royal Gist Brocades in the Netherlands.

1993
Launched Harnal for the treatment of impaired urination.
Currently sold in more than 90 countries.

1994
Established Shenyang Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. in China.

2000
Launched Lipitor, an agent to treat hypercholesterolemia.

2001
Established Yamanouchi Pharma America, Inc. in the U.S., as a sales base of the company in the U.S.

2004
Launched Vesicare, an agent for overactive bladder treatment, in Europe.
Launched in the U.S. as well in 2005.
OTC businesses of both Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. were integrated on October 1, 2004, to form Zepharma Inc.

2005
Astellas Pharma Inc. was established through the merger of Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd and Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Former Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 1894-2005

1894
Tomokichi Fujisawa founded Fujisawa Shoten in Osaka.

1897
Launched Fujisawa Camphor as a home-use insect repellent.

1943
Changed the company name to Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

1964
Central Laboratory completed.

1971
Launched Cefamezin, an antibiotic for injection.
Proceeded to market it worldwide.

1977
Established Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Corp., the company's first business base in the U.S.

1979
Opened a London Office, the company's first business base in Europe.

1983
Tsukuba Laboratory completed.

1991
Established Fujisawa Europe GmbH in Germany.

1993
Launched immunosuppressant Prograf.
Currently sold in about 100 countries.

1998
Restructured the business in the U.S. and founded Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc.

1999
Launched Protopic, an agent to treat atopic dermatitis.
Currently sold in about 60 countries.

2004
OTC businesses of both Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. were integrated on October 1, 2004 to form Zepharma Inc.