Tokyo, December 20, 2010 - Astellas Pharma Inc. (“Astellas”; headquarter: Tokyo; President and CEO: Masafumi Nogimori) announced today that it agreed with AstraZeneca UK Limited upon an extension of its existing Seroquel licence to include SeroquelⓇ extended release Tab, (code name: FK949E), which is currently under development for the indication of major depressive disorder in Japan.
Under the terms of the extended license, Astellas is granted by AstraZeneca an exclusive right for development, formulation, packaging, sale and promotion for SeroquelⓇextended release Tab in Japan. The term of the license is ten years after SeroquelⓇ extended release Tab launch.
Pursuant to the existing agreement dated as of December 25th, 1998., Astellas has been distributing SeroquelⓇIR Tab for the indication of schizophrenia. SeroquelⓇ extended release Tab is under development for the indication of major depressive disorder and it is currently under Phase1 clinical trial in Japan.