AsianScientist (May 30, 2013) – US biotech, Amgen, and Tokyo-based pharma, Astellas Pharma Inc., today announced a strategic alliance to co-develop and co-commercialize new medicines in Japan.
The alliance leverages on Amgen’s pipeline candidates and Astellas’ deep knowledge of Japanese patient and physician needs, long-term commercial and regulatory experience, and presence in Japan.
The first element of the alliance is a long-term collaboration between the two companies that will focus on the co-development and co-commercialization in Japan of five Amgen pipeline medicines. The five medicines, which include four biologics and one small molecule, are focused on the treatment of cardiovascular and bone diseases and cancer. The pipeline medicines range from early to late stages of development in Japan, with the first potential commercial launch expected as early as 2016.
The second element of the alliance is the establishment of a Tokyo-based joint venture company through which the companies will work together to enable Amgen to rapidly build on-the-ground capabilities in Japan. The joint venture will operate under the name Amgen Astellas BioPharma KK and will be led by Eiichi Takahashi, who will serve as general manager.
“We look forward to entering this alliance with Amgen and believe it will strengthen our pipeline to address unmet medical needs, as well as enable us to obtain growth drivers,” said Yoshihiko Hatanaka, president and CEO of Astellas. “We will work closely with Amgen to build the joint venture, which will provide innovative medicines to patients in Japan.”
It is expected that the joint venture will start operations on Oct. 1, 2013, and will become a wholly owned Amgen affiliate as soon as 2020 with the long-term collaboration continuing.
——
Source: Astellas.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.
