Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2011 - Astellas Pharma Inc. (Tokyo:4503,“Astellas”) announced that the Societe Internationale d’Urologie (SIU) presented its senior science advisor (and former chairman), Dr. Toichi Takenaka with the “SIU Distinguished Partner Award” at the organization’s 31st World Congress’ Opening Ceremonies yesterday in Berlin, Germany. This award was given to recognize support of the SIU over the course of many years and contributions to drug discovery in the field of urology.
Founded in 1907, the SIU is comprised of over 4,400 members from over 120 countries around the world. The organization’s mission is to enable urologists in all nations to apply the highest standards of urological care to their patients by supporting urologists in helping communication of scientific information, promoting formal and informal relations between national urological societies, and fostering cooperation between urologists from all around the world. Astellas has been supporting the SIU for many years by sponsoring the “Astellas Award” to recognize outstanding research in the field of urology since 1994.
Astellas established a global leading position in urology through offering a treatment for functional symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia known as Harnal® in Japan and Omnic® / Omnic OCAS® in Europe, and a treatment for overactive bladder, Vesicare®. Astellas launched a treatment for overactive bladder with a new mechanism of action, mirabegron (generic name) , in September 2011 in Japan (product name in Japan: Betanis®), and submitted new drug applications for mirabegron in the U.S. and Europe in August 2011.
Astellas will continue supporting the SIU’s efforts to enhance medical care in the field of urology.
* Societe Internationale d’Urologie website:http://www.siu-urology.org/
