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Feature Story

Externalizing Astellas

Astellas' new R&D strategy focused on growing preclinical pipeline

By Erin McCallister
Senior Writer

With a stocked late-stage pipeline, Astellas Pharma Inc. has decided to restructure its R&D and give more attention to finding early stage programs by looking outside. The Japanese pharma will eliminate much of its bricks-and-mortar R&D and rely on external collaborations to identify novel drug candidates in both core and new therapeutic areas.

Astellas will continue to invest in clinical stage assets through deals like its May 29 partnership with Amgen Inc. to develop and commercialize five of the biotech's programs in Japan (see "Grounded in Japan," A10).

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