In a move to bolster its presence in the pioneering biotech hub of South San Francisco, Astellas Pharma has unveiled a $90 million West Coast Innovation Center. The newly constructed 154,000-square-foot facility consolidates the company’s previously dispersed Bay Area operations, including research, technical operations, medical and development and commercial teams, under one roof. “I want…
Astellas Pharma’s $1.7B Iveric Bio buy aims to bolster its ophthalmology market position
Astellas Pharma, the second largest Japanese pharma firm after Takeda, plans on scooping up the biopharma Iveric Bio for roughly $1.7 billion. Iveric focuses on discovering and developing novel therapies for retinal diseases, for approximately $1.7 billion. Astellas believes the acquisition of Iveric Bio will strengthen its standing in the ophthalmology market, by adding the…
FDA places clinical hold on Astellas clinical trial focused on Pompe disease
Astellas Pharma (TSE:4503) has revealed that the FDA has slapped a clinical hold on its Phase 1/2 FORTIS Pompe disease study after observing a serious adverse event (SAE) — peripheral sensory neuropathy — in a trial participant. Peripheral sensory neuropathy results from damage to nerves outside of the central nervous system. The condition can lead…
34 of the most innovative pharmaceutical products
The Galien Foundation has revealed its latest nominees for the 2021 Prix Galien USA Award highlighting innovations in biotechnology, pharmaceutical agents, medical technology and digital health products. Entrants to the competition must have received FDA approval within the past five years and demonstrate exceptional therapeutic potential. The Galien Foundation does not use financial data to…
Xospata met primary endpoint in confirmatory trial
Xospata (gilteritinib) from Astellas Pharma is indicated for the treatment of adult patients who have relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia with a FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test. In March, Astellas announced that the drug met its primary endpoint in a planned interim analysis of a Phase 3 confirmatory…
The most innovative pharmaceutical agents of 2020
The Galien Foundation recently announced nominees for most innovative pharmaceutical agents for its 14th Annual Prix Galien USA Awards. The foundation bestows the Prix Galien Award annually to examples of outstanding biomedical, pharmaceutical drugs and medical technology products that are designed to improve the human condition. “As we celebrate 50 years of the Prix Galien…