(Under the provision of its Articles of Incorporation in accordance with Article 165, paragraph 2 of the Companies Act)

Tokyo, January 31, 2018 - Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Yoshihiko Hatanaka ) today announced that at the meeting of the Board of Directors held today, a resolution was adopted to acquire its own shares under Article 156 which is applicable in accordance with Article 165, paragraph 3 of the Companies Act.

Particulars

  1. Reasons for the acquisition of own shares
    To improve capital efficiency and shareholder return.
     
  2. Contents of acquisition
    (1) Class of shares to be acquired:
    Common stock of the Company
    (2) Total number of shares to be acquired:
    Up to 42 million shares
    (The percentage compared to the total
    number of shares outstanding: 2.08 %)
    (3) Aggregate amount of acquisition cost:
    Up to 60 billion yen
    (4) Period of acquisition:
    From February 1, 2018 to March 23, 2018

    (Reference) The status of treasury shares as of December 31, 2017:
    Total number of shares outstanding:
    2,015,664,016 shares
    Number of treasury shares:
    53,159,159 shares

About Astellas
Astellas Pharma Inc., based in Tokyo, Japan, is a company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. We focus on Urology, Oncology, Immunology, Nephrology and Neuroscience as prioritized therapeutic areas while advancing new therapeutic areas and discovery research leveraging new technologies/modalities. We are also creating new value by combining internal capabilities and external expertise in the medical/healthcare business. Astellas is on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into value for patients. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.astellas.com/en.

Cautionary Notes
In this press release, statements made with respect to current plans, estimates, strategies and beliefs and other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements about the future performance of Astellas. These statements are based on management’s current assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in general economic conditions and in laws and regulations, relating to pharmaceutical markets, (ii) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (iii) delays in new product launches, (iv) the inability of Astellas to market existing and new products effectively, (v) the inability of Astellas to continue to effectively research and develop products accepted by customers in highly competitive markets, and (vi) infringements of Astellas’ intellectual property rights by third parties.
Information about pharmaceutical products (including products currently in development) which is included in this press release is not intended to constitute an advertisement or medical advice.

Contacts for inquiries or additional information:

Astellas Pharma Inc.
Corporate Communications
TEL: +81-3-3244-3201 FAX: +81-3-5201-7473

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