The collaboration was expected to generate more than $600 million for Cytokinetics, as well as $75 million in milestone payments. The companies announced they will advance the development of CK-2127107 (a fast skeletal troponin activator) into Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy and possibly other neuromuscular conditions. In December 2014, Astellas expanded its 18-month-old collaboration with Cytokinetics, focusing on the R&D and commercialization of skeletal muscle activators. On June 9, 2010, Astellas acquired OSI Pharmaceuticals for $4.0 billion. In 2009, the company's tacrolimus-containing products Prograf and Advagraf showed they were prone to dosing errors within Europe, leading to serious adverse reactions among a number of patients, due to deficits in packaging and labeling, deficits corrected after a warning from the UK MHRA.

Astellas had a collaboration agreement with CoMentis from 2008 to 2014 focused on development of beta-secretase inhibitor therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease. At least some of its older products continue to be distributed under the original brand, ostensibly due to high brand-name recognition. Fujisawa and Yamanouchi combined in a 'merger of equals,' forming Astellas Pharma on 1 April 2005. Yamanouchi's R&D center in Leiderdorp was established with the acquisition of the pharmaceutical division of Royal Gist Brocades in 1991. Both companies started their overseas expansion at about the same time, opening offices in Taiwan in 19, respectively, and in the United States and Europe from 1977 onwards.ДЇujisawa acquired Lyphomed in 1990 and thereafter established its US R&D center in Deerfield, Illinois. The company was renamed Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co. Yamanouchi Yakuhin Shokai was started in 1923 by Kenji Yamanouchi in Osaka. History Early foundations ДЇujisawa Shoten was started in 1894 by Tomokichi Fujisawa in Osaka, and was renamed Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co.

Astellas company pdf info