Two scientists review notes, showing how Astellas supports research activities that advance medical and scientific knowledge.

Research

Astellas is committed to supporting independent research activities that advance medical and scientific knowledge and innovation through one of two ways: Investigator Sponsored Research (ISR) and General Research Grants (GRG).

Investigator sponsored research 

Requests for ISRs must be unsolicited and only proposals submitted via the ISR portal will be considered for possible support. ISRs may be initiated by a single investigator/physician, medical network, not-for-profit/academic organization or institution, consortia, or cooperative group, who are the “sponsor”. The sponsor is accountable for all aspects of the research proposal (design, implementation, conduct, data analysis, and data dissemination), including compliance with all laws and regulations applicable to research sponsors and interaction with Astellas as defined in the legal agreement. The sponsor also holds the investigational new drug (IND) application, or equivalent, if one is required.

 

Areas of interest provide investigators with knowledge about compounds with open ISR programs to see whether a research proposal fits with recognized priorities. Astellas is interested in supporting studies that are innovative and contribute to scientific knowledge of a product, a disease state, medical condition or advancing technology. The areas of interest are to serve as a guidance for submission of a proposal and does not guarantee Astellas support. Areas of interest can be found on the ISR portal using the link below. 

General research grants

Astellas accepts requests for Grants for General Research (GRG) to fund an independent research program or project, which does not include specific analysis and/or a protocol to address a research question.

 

Recipients of a GRG assume full responsibility for the design, conduct, analysis, reporting, and all other aspects of the research program.

 

Requests must be unsolicited. Astellas cannot be the sole external financial supporter of a GRG.

 

Note that Japan only reviews GRG requests between October and November. Grant requests received outside of this period will not be considered.

  • Funding for independent research program by a university (no specific study/protocol)
  • Funding for creation or continuation of registry (NOTE: funding request for specific analysis to be performed with data from a registry would be an ISR) 
  • Funding for larger research program run by medical society or research network group, in which the medical society/research network would solicit, review, and select research proposals independent from Astellas 
  • Funding for research involving a literature search and manuscript development (e.g. externally developed independent review articles) (NOTE: Grant funding may only be approved prior to any availability or knowledge of research/study results)