Astellas Pharma : Collaborates with Two Research Centers at the University of Tokyo

TOKYO - Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., 'Astellas') has signed an agreement with two research centers at the University of Tokyo (President: Makoto Gonokami, Ph.D.): The Institute for Life Science Research and Education, and The University of Tokyo Center of Innovation and the Research Institute for Science & Technology (the COI), on a collaborative effort 'Astellas Alliance Acceleration Program' (AAAP) to create innovative new medicines and medical solutions.

Based on these agreements, Astellas seeks a wide range of research project proposals from researchers belonging to the Institute for Life Science Research and Education and the COI. It looks for proposals for research and development at different stages, from initial investigations into the biological mechanisms underlying diseases to the identification of drug discovery targets and the discovery of new therapeutic agents including their verification. Astellas will discuss the proposals with respective researchers in preparation for launching the collaborative research projects.

Astellas will have early stage access to the Institute for Life Science Research and Education, and the COI research activities through AAAP. The collaboration of research projects will enable the early introduction of cutting-edge scientific and technological innovations to Astellas.

'We are delighted to build upon a close collaboration with the Institute for Life Science Research and Education, and the COI,' said Akihiko Iwai, Ph.D., President of Drug Discovery Research at Astellas. 'It is hoped that these collaborations will enable us to approach cutting-edge scientific and technological innovations from an earlier stage, further accelerating our efforts in a wide range of drug discovery research from the initial stage to clinical practice.'

Astellas' philosophy is to 'contribute toward improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products.' Astellas is working to create medical solutions by ensuring that scientific progress is targeted where the greatest potential exists to create and deliver VALUE for patients. Alliances and partnerships with academia and bioventure companies around the world play an important role in achieving these goals. Therefore, the company is actively seeking collaboration opportunities in order to access capabilities beyond its organization. This collaboration with two research centers at the University of Tokyo is part of these efforts.

About the Institute for Life Science Research and Education, the University of Tokyo

The Institute for Life Science Research and Education is a faculty-equivalent organization established to promote to create new academic fields through cross-organizational integrated research activities. We are developing three pillars with the aim of becoming a global educational and research center for bioevolution research that aims to elucidate the principles of life systems that develop thorough time flows. (1) Elucidation of the principle of bio-evolution - Elucidation of the basic principle of time evolution of life systems, (2) Bio-evolution analysis using emerging technology - Promotion of research using new dynamic system analysis technology, and (3) Breakdown of bio-evolution / disease investigation - Social contribution based on the creation of new disease concepts and the development of preventive treatment methods. Through these studies, we are also focusing on developing highly intelligent knowledge professionals.

About the University of Tokyo Center of Innovation 'Self-Managing Healthy Society'

The University of Tokyo Center of Innovation 'Self-Managing Healthy Society' (COI) is an industryacademia collaboration program led by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Japan Science and Technology agency (JST). In order to realize a 'selfmanaging healthy society, where an individual takes care of one's own health, the elderly takes active part in supporting the society, and a new health / medical industry is created to increase the gross national income', the COI aims to create a society that promotes 'personalization of health maintenance' in collaboration with local governments and companies.

About Astellas

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are promoting the Focus Area Approach that is designed to identify opportunities for the continuous creation of new drugs to address diseases with high unmet medical needs by focusing on Biology and Modality. Furthermore, we are also looking beyond our foundational Rx focus to create Rx+ healthcare solutions combine our expertise and knowledge with cutting-edge technology in different fields of external partners. Through these efforts, Astellas stands on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into value for patients.

Cautionary Notes

In this press release, statements made with respect to current plans, estimates, strategies and beliefs and other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements about the future performance of Astellas. These statements are based on management's current assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in general economic conditions and in laws and regulations, relating to pharmaceutical markets, (ii) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (iii) delays in new product launches, (iv) the inability of Astellas to market existing and new products effectively, (v) the inability of Astellas to continue to effectively research and develop products accepted by customers in highly competitive markets, and (vi) infringements of Astellas' intellectual property rights by third parties. Information about pharmaceutical products (including products currently in development) which is included in this press release is not intended to constitute an advertisement or medical advice.

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