Contributing to a more sustainable society is essential for enhancing Astellas’ Sustainability.
Realizing Our Mission of Making Astellas Sustainable
Astellas recognizes that our contribution to social sustainability is essential for our sustainability as an organization. Astellas is committed to engaging in the sustainability of society by fulfilling our social responsibilities as a pharmaceutical company, including but not limited to providing healthcare solutions such as a pharmaceutical products that satisfy unmet medical needs. As a result, we earn trust from society for both the Company and our products, which enhances Astellas’ sustainability.
This positive cycle will lead to the realization of our mission, "sustainable enhancement of enterprise value" through fulfillment of our raison d'etre "contribute toward improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products." In short, for Astellas, contributing to the sustainability of society means the realization of its philosophy.
The activities we have carried out under the aforementioned philosophy continue to be well-received externally.
For example, Astellas has been named to the FTSE4Good Index Series, a representative investment index, for 12 consecutive years. Astellas is also included as a constituent in all of the ESG investment indexes adopted by the Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) in Japan, which are FTSE Blossom Japan Index, MSCI Japan ESG Select Leaders Index, MSCI Japan Empowering Women Index (WIN) and S&P/JPX Carbon Efficient Index.
Engaging in Value Creation and Value Protection
Sustainability that Astellas is engaged in has two aspects: value creation and value protection.
Value Creation
Through its business activities, Astellas is creating value for society by addressing social issues such as unmet medical needs, and by rewarding stakeholders.
By reinvesting the profit we gain through business activities, we strengthen our capabilities in research and development. In addition, by winning the trust from government and business partners in each country, we create new business opportunities. That is to say, value for Astellas is created.
Value Protection
Astellas seeks to reduce its environmental burden, preserve biodiversity, ensure compliance, and takes measures to prevent corruption. In addition to the social value of these activities, these contribute to mitigating reputation risks and enhancing our corporate brand, thereby protecting our enterprise value.
Governance for Contributing to Sustainability
Astellas deliberates important issues relating to our sustainability at the Executive Committee*1, chaired by the Representative Director, President and CEO, and decided by the Board of Directors, based on the corporate governance system.
In addition, annual sustainability activity results and activity plans for the following year are reported to the Board of Directors, which supervises the operation of business executions.
To promote sustainability efforts through all divisions from a long-term, strategic, and company-wide perspective, we established the Sustainability Committee and the Environmental, Social and Governance Working Group (E-S-G Working Group) as frameworks that drive our endeavors.
*1 The organization discusses material matters concerning business strategies, product strategies, corporate management, and personnel of the Company and Astellas Group companies
Sustainability Committee
The Sustainability Committee discusses Astellas' key sustainability issues, including opportunities and risks, which relate to our business execution. The Committee is a cross-functional body that comprises members who are at the head level of Functional Units*2 and the chairman of the committee and members are assigned by the Chief Strategy Officer (CStO) to ensure a professional and effective discussion.
*2 Refer to organizational business unit directly reports to Top Management
E・S・G Working Groups
Environment, Social and Governance Working Groups (E-S-G Working Groups) consist of cross-functional members, which identify issues and opportunities for Astellas to address Environmental, Social, and Governance issues respective to changes in the external environment, principles and guidelines.
They also work with relevant divisions to plan improvements, set targets, and monitor the progress of their initiatives to contribute to sustainability.
Sustainability
As a Functional Unit, Sustainability is responsible for working as a secretariat of the Sustainability Committee and each Working Group(E-S-G) and responding to sustainability issues throughout the entire Astellas Group, raising sustainability awareness internally and externally in collaboration with communication function.
