Tokyo and Kumamoto, January 22, 2019 – Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., “Astellas” ) and KM Biologics Co., Ltd. (President and Representative Director: Toshiaki Nagasato, “KM Biologics”) announced that the agreement for the distribution by Astellas of human vaccines, etc. and blood plasma products (“the products”), which KM Biologics manufactures and sells in Japan, will expire on July 31, 2019. In accordance with the expiration of the agreement, distribution of the products will be transferred as follows.
In terms of human vaccines, etc., Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd. (“Meiji Seika Pharma”), which is an affiliate of Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd. same as KM Biologics, will distribute them as soon as, after April 2019, Astellas’ inventory of those products runs out, based on the distribution agreement concluded by KM Biologics with Meiji Seika Pharma. Meanwhile, Meiji Seika Pharma will provide and collect information on the products from medical institutions from April 1, 2019.
In terms of blood plasma products, Japan Blood Products Organization (“JB”) will distribute them, and provide and collect information on those products from medical institutions from August 1, 2019, based on the distribution agreement concluded by KM Biologics with JB.
Astellas and KM Biologics will work closely with Meiji Seika Pharma and JB to ensure a smooth transfer of the distribution of the products to continue delivering them to patients stably.
List of the major products
“Human vaccines, etc.”
Influenza HA Vaccine “KMB”, Quattrovac, ENCEVAC, Bimmugen,
Aimmugen, Inactivated Tissue Culture Rabies Vaccine,
and Freeze-dried Mamushi Antivenom “KMB”, etc.
“Blood plasma fraction Formulations”
BOLHEAL®, Confact® F, Novact® M, etc.
Sales of the Products by Astellas (Fiscal year ended March 31, 2018)
Approximately 24 billion yen (gross sales basis)