- Astellas integrates its wholly owned subsidiary, Audentes Therapeutics,
and expands the mission to further Astellas’ position
as a global leader in the field of Gene Therapy -
TOKYO, March 31, 2021 - Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., “Astellas” ) today announced that it will further integrate its wholly owned subsidiary, Audentes Therapeutics, and establish “Astellas Gene Therapies” within the organization. Genetic regulation is positioned as one of the Primary Focuses of the research and development strategy at Astellas. This will further advance our activities from research and development, manufacturing and commercialization of the associated programs with a foundation in adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy. Further, the new center of excellence will enable us to achieve more effective and efficient operations, with a high-quality, safety and compliance standard.
Effective April 1, Astellas Gene Therapies will serve as the Gene Therapy Center of Excellence operated through three divisions specializing in gene therapy research including technical operations, medical and development, and future commercialization of gene therapy programs. The center of excellence will focus on the programs for neuromuscular diseases brought by Audentes including its lead program AT132 (for X-linked Myotubular Myopathy) and AT845 (for Pompe disease), in addition to advancing additional Astellas’ gene therapy programs toward clinical investigation.
“The field of gene therapy has made significant strides to date, and we believe the future holds even greater opportunity to bring new treatments to a wide range of diseases for patients in need,” said Kenji Yasukawa, President and CEO, Astellas. “With Astellas Gene Therapies as a Center of Excellence, we can continue to deepen our knowledge in this ever-evolving space with the expertise and talent from within Audentes to lead us to the forefront of creating next-generation treatments.”
In the future, instead of alternating between the Astellas and Audentes umbrella brands by program, the company comes together under one banner as Astellas Gene Therapies to advance our efforts in a way that provides the value of gene therapy to patients around the world.
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