Astellas Pharma Europe Announces Winners of the Changing Tomorrow 2009 Awards

Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd., the European subsidiary of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc., one of the world's top 20 pharmaceutical companies, has today announced the launch of the Astellas Changing Tomorrow Charity Awards. The charity award funding programme is designed to award organisations that help citizens of all communities realise their full potential and enhance their quality of life - both today and in the future.

The first four beneficiaries of the Astellas Changing Tomorrow Charity Awards include Clini Clowns, the International Foundation for Dermatology, The Prostate Cancer Charity and Save the Children - the Cyclone Nargis, Burma Fund. All of these have been selected for their outstanding contributions and life-changing work in their respective fields.

The Astellas Changing Tomorrow Charity Awards complement the company's existing ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes. These embody a global and European commitment to supporting medical research and education and uphold the company's strong ethical principles. One of the primary CSR-initiatives is the Astellas European Foundation, a registered charity with a long-term goal of providing support for programmes and activities that contribute to the advancement of an increasingly healthy society. Recent beneficiaries of the Foundation include Save the Children-Liberia, which has been able to vaccinate 35,000 children against measles and a total of 45,000 children against other childhood diseases.

Mr. Masao Yoshida, President and CEO of Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd., commented:

"Astellas takes its responsibility to society seriously and is committed to changing the lives of people around the world. We support worthwhile causes that make a difference; the four charities chosen to receive the Astellas Changing Tomorrow Charity Awards are all striving to create a brighter future in their respective fields."

The Prostate Cancer Charity, one of the four recipients of the Astellas Changing Tomorrow Charity Awards, was set up in 1996 with the broad remit of improving the care and welfare of those affected by prostate cancer. They provide one of the most comprehensive range of services of all the prostate cancer charities. The Prostate Cancer Charity is striving for a world where lives are no longer limited by prostate cancer. The Charity is fighting prostate cancer on every front - through research, support, information and campaigning.

Mr. John Neate, Chief Executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity, commented:

"The Prostate Cancer Charity is delighted to have received this award and the associated funding. This contribution will help us to continue to raise awareness of prostate cancer and finance research, in addition to providing practical support and information to men affected by prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men in the UK, and their families. 35,000 men are diagnosed with the disease every year in the UK and one man dies every hour."

Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd. employs approximately 3,400 people across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Dedicated to improving peoples lives around the world through the introduction of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products, it has key strengths in the therapy areas of Transplantation, Urology, Dermatology and Anti-infectives.

Notes to Editors

About Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd.

Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd., located in the UK, is a European subsidiary of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. The organisation is committed to becoming a global company by combining outstanding R&D and marketing capabilities and continuing to grow in the world pharmaceutical market. Astellas Pharma Europe is responsible for 20 affiliate offices located across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, two R&D sites and three manufacturing plants with approximately 3,400 staff.

http://www.astellas.eu

For more information please contact: Mindy Dooa, Corporate Communications,
Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd., +44(0)1784-419-408, Mindy.dooa@eu.astellas.com

Related terms: africa, burma, cancer, ceo, charity, children, contributions, corporate, dermatology, editors, education, europe, finance, foundation, manufacturing, market, marketing, medical, men, pharmaceuticals, president, products, prostate cancer, research, tokyo