TOKYO, December 21, 2018 - Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., “Astellas” ) today announced that Astellas Pharma Tech Co., Ltd. (“Astellas Pharma Tech” ), Astellas’ production subsidiary in Japan, and CMIC CMO Co., Ltd. (“CMIC CMO” ), concluded a share transfer agreement under which CMIC CMO will succeed to the business of Nishine Plant (Hachimantai-shi, Iwate), one of production sites of Astellas Pharma Tech.
1. Summary of the succession of the Nishine Plant business
(1) Purpose of the business succession
Astellas is engaged in on-going efforts to improve the quality and efficiency of operations and to optimize its cost structure so as to accommodate the rapidly-changing business environment and achieve sustainable growth. This includes the areas of production and technology in which the company actively strengthens its corporate functions and develops ties with partners to promote establishment of a production system that efficiently delivers a stable supply of high-quality drugs. As a part of these efforts, Astellas Pharma Tech has reached an agreement with CMIC CMO under which the pharmaceutical manufacturing business of Nishine Plant is to be succeeded by CMIC CMO.
Along with the business succession, employees of Nishine Plant will remain employed by CMIC Group. Astellas’s products currently manufactured at the Nishine Plant will continue to be produced there. Further enhancing quality assurance systems and manufacturing technology in collaboration between the Nishine Plant and CMIC CMO will allow Astellas to establish a high-quality, more efficient outsourced manufacturing system.
Meanwhile, through the succession of the Nishine Plant business, CMIC CMO can expect synergy effects by ensuring stable supply through production capacity enhancement and merging high-quality management capability and technical strengths.
(2) Schedule of the business succession
December 21, 2018: Conclusion of a share transfer agreement
June 1, 2019: Conclusion of share transfer to CMIC CMO (tentative)
(3) Financial terms of the business succession
Financial terms including the transfer price are not disclosed.
2. Scheme of the business succession
Astellas Pharma Tech will establish a wholly owned subsidiary (“New Company”) and transfer all of the shares of the New Company held by Astellas Pharma Tech to CMIC CMO after having the New Company assume the business of the Nishine Plant through the absorption-type company split on June 1, 2019 (tentative).
3. Outline of Astellas Pharma Tech and Nishine Plant
Astellas Pharma Tech Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: 2-5-1, Nihonbashi-Honcho, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo
Representative: President Toshiomi Nakate
Capital: ¥1 million
Operations: contracted-manufacturing of drugs and drug substances for medical use
in Japan and overseas; contracted-manufacturing of drugs and drug substances for
clinical trials; and contracted-manufacturing of drug substances for development
Employees: approx. 1,300 employees (as of the end of September 2018)
Production sites: Takahagi Technology Center, Toyama Technology Center,
Yaizu Technology Center, Takaoka Plant, and Nishine Plant
Astellas Pharma Tech Co., Ltd., Nishine Plant
Location: Obuke 2-154-13, Hachimantai-city, Iwate
Site area: 345,563 m2
Building area: 14,337 m2
Employees: approx. 190 employees (as of the end of September 2018)
Forms of pharmaceuticals being produced: tablets and capsules
4. Outline of the succeeding company
CMIC CMO Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: 1-1-1, Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Representative Director and CEO Makoto Matsukawa
Capital: ¥100 million
Operations: contracted-manufacturing of pharmaceuticals,and
quasi-pharmaceutical products
Employees: approx. 860 employees (as of the end of September 2018)
In line with the business succession, Astellas expects that one-time expenses including impairment loss of property, plant and equipment will be booked for the third quarter ending December 31, 2018.
