Lobbying & Political Contributions

As a research and development-oriented global pharmaceutical company, Astellas is dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable products. As such, Astellas engages with U.S. policymakers to encourage market-based public policies that help support medical innovation and access to cutting-edge treatments.

To ensure that Astellas’ point of view is considered by policymakers, we have candid conversations with elected officials about access, what’s restricting it and how to break down barriers. Our engagements apply to other significant topics including development, regulatory review, intellectual property, data exclusivity, product stewardship, product liability, and patient safety, among others. Astellas, through its Policy and Government Affairs team, helps inform the U.S. discussion about healthcare and pharmaceutical innovation at the federal, state and local levels.

Astellas believes that public policy engagement is essential to our provision of biopharmaceuticals and contributes to improving the health of patients around the world. We also believe it should be conducted in a legal and transparent manner.

Astellas and its Astellas Political Action Committee (Astellas PAC) comply with all applicable federal and state lobbying registration and disclosure laws. Where required, Astellas reports both lobbying activity and disbursement of political funds to candidates at state and federal levels. Astellas also files quarterly lobbying reports that capture federal lobbying activity in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate and with federal agencies. Astellas’ lobbying reports can be found at http://lobbyingdisclosure.house.gov.

The Astellas PAC is a separate, segregated fund that is registered with the Federal Election Commission and several states. Astellas disclosure reports are publicly available and can be found at www.fec.gov.

The purpose of the Astellas PAC is to provide monetary contributions to candidates for federal, state and local offices. The PAC is funded by voluntary contributions from eligible Astellas employees and the funds are used for political purposes. The Astellas PAC only solicits and accepts contributions from employees who are eligible to be solicited. All contribution guidelines discussed are only suggestions, and employees are free to contribute more, less, or nothing at all and Astellas will neither favor nor disadvantage any employee for his or her decision.

Lobbying Disclosure Act Database

Trade Association Memberships

Astellas is a member of industry and trade groups that represent both the biopharmaceutical industry and the general business community. Astellas’ participation as a member of these groups comes with the understanding that we may not always agree with the positions of the organization or other members, but that we participate in an effort to bring about consensus on public policy issues that matter most to our company and the patients we serve. Below is a partial listing of our current memberships:

  • Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
  • Massachusetts Biotechnology Council
  • National Pharmaceutical Council
  • Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization