Astellas Pharma Inc is a global pharmaceutical company developing therapies for the treatment of various diseases. Japanese Pharma major came into existence, as a result of merger of Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co. and Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co. in Apr 2005.
- In Jan 2021, Astellas entered into a research collaboration for molecular targeted radiotherapies “theranostics” with Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. In this collaboration, the potential therapeutic effect will be assessed by combining certain targeted oncology drugs that were discovered by Astellas based on its drug discovery capabilities cultivated thus far with Actinium’s nuclear medicine technology which utilizes an alpha particle-emitting radioisotope3 (Actinium-225). Financial details remains undisclosed.
- In Dec 2020, Astellas and KaliVir Immunotherapeutics LLC entered into a worldwide licensing agreement for the research, development and commercialization of VET2-L2, an intravenously administered oncolytic virus for Immuno-Oncology, as well as a research collaboration to generate a Second Product, a follow-on virus. Under the terms, Astellas paid KaliVir up to $ 56 Mn USD in the form of an upfront payment and other payments to support research and preclinical activities related to VET2-L2 and the Second Product. Additionally, Astellas may pay up to $307 Mn USD and up to $271 Mn USD for development, regulatory and commercialization of VET2-L2 and Second Product, respectively. Astellas also may make royalty payments on net sales of each licensed product.
- In Sep 2020, Anaeropharma Science Inc. and Astellas Pharma signed research agreement for the creation of novel anti-tumor drugs that utilizes characteristic features of Bifidobacterium longum through Anaeropharma’s proprietary platform technology, in situ Delivery and Production System (“i-DPS”).
- In Mar 2020, CytomX Therapeutics and Astellas entered into a strategic collaboration to discover, develop and commercialize novel T-cell engaging bispecific antibodies using CytomX’s Probody® therapeutic technology platform. Under the terms, CytomX and Astellas will collaborate on several initial programs. CytomX will lead research and discovery activities, up to clinical candidate selection, that will be funded by Astellas. Astellas will lead and fund preclinical and clinical development and commercialization activities. Astellas will make an upfront cash payment of $80 Mn to CytomX with CytomX eligible to receive future preclinical, clinical and commercial milestones of over $1.6 billion. CytomX is also eligible to receive tiered royalties on global net sales that range from high-single digits to mid-teens.
- In Jan 2020, Astellas Pharma through its wholly-owned subsidiary Universal Cells, Inc, and Adaptimmune entered into a co-development and co-commercialization agreement to bring new stem-cell derived allogeneic T-cell therapies to people with cancer, for up to three targets. The collaboration will leverage Adaptimmune’s target identification and validation capabilities and Astellas’ Universal Donor Cell and Gene Editing Platform. Under the terms, Astellas will fund research up until completion of a Ph 1 trial for each candidate. Upon completion of the Ph 1 trial for each candidate, Astellas and Adaptimmune will elect whether to progress with co-development and co-commercialization of the candidate, or to allow the other Party to pursue the candidate independently through a milestone and royalty bearing license, with the agreement allowing for either company to opt out.
- In Sep 2019, Astellas acquired the rights for the research, development and commercialization of cell therapy formulations applying RIKEN’s aAVC technology that targets selected cancer antigens. Astellas paid an upfront payment of 1 billion yen to RIKEN. Astellas may also make milestone payments depending on achievement of development and commercialization milestones, as well as royalty payments on any future product sales. RIKEN’s aAVC formulations contain modified human cells to which glycolipids and cancer antigens are loaded. The glycolipids activate innate immunity via natural killer T cells and the cancer antigens induce antigen-specific T cells to activate adaptive immunity, thus it is expected that aAVC could effectively attack cancer cells by activating both innate immunity and adaptive immunity.
- In Apr 2019, Xencor, Inc. entered into a research and license agreement in which Astellas providing Astellas an access to Xencor’s bispecific technology to advance a novel bispecific antibody program in oncology. Under the terms, Xencor will apply its bispecific technology to create multiple bispecific antibody candidates against the target specified by Astellas and will perform initial characterization of the molecules. Astellas to hold worldwide development rights and will conduct all preclinical and clinical development and regulatory and commercial activities. Xencor will receive an upfront payment and will be eligible to receive development, regulatory and sales milestone payments and high-single digit to low-double digit percentage royalties on net sales.
- In Mar 2018, Actinium entered into a research and option agreement with Astellas Pharma to develop Actinium-225 Radio-Conjugates (ARCs) using its Actinium Warhead Enabling (AWE) Platform Technology. Under this collaboration, Actinium will utilize its AWE Platform to conjugate and label selected Astellas targeting agents with the powerful actinium-225 (225Ac) payload. Actinium will also be responsible for conducting preclinical validation studies on the novel ARCs generated. Financial details remains undisclosed.
- In Apr 2015, Astellas acquired rights from The University of Texas, to be the first to negotiate global exclusive rights for a Phase I ready, Acute Myeloid Leukemia drug “h8F4”, which works by targeting a specific peptide in cancer cells, including stem cells. Under the agreement, Astellas provided $26 Mn in funding and may exercise its option after completion of the Phase Ia and Ib studies.
- In Aug 2014, Astellas teamed up with Cancer Research U.K. to join forces on early-stage oncology R&D, working to identify new treatments for pancreatic cancer.
- In Mar 2013, Astellas terminate the collaboration with Ambit for the joint development and commercialization of FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3) inhibitors, including quizartinib. Ambit regains all rights of quizartinib granted to Astellas.
- In Apr 2013, Astellas and Ambrx entered into collaboration for discovery and development of next-generation ADCs for oncology.
- Astellas entered into strategic alliance with Amgen to co-develop and co-commercialize Amgen’s Rilotumumab and Blinatumomab in Japan.
- Astellas is also in collaboration with Medivation Inc., for developing Medivation’s Enzalutamide/Xtandi® approved by FDA for the treatment of prostate cancer, outside US.
- Astellas is in agreement with Ferring Pharmaceuticals to develop and commercialize Ferring’s Degarelix for prostate cancer in Japan.
- Astellas is co-developing AGS-22ME, ASG-5ME, ASG-15ME and AGS-16M8F with Seattle by using its antibody-drug conjugate, ADC technology.
- Astellas is into worldwide agreement with AVEO to develop and commercialize AVEO’s Tivozanib/ASP4130 outside of Asia.
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