Astellas unveils new R&D strategy

Astellas Pharma Inc. (Tokyo:4503) President and CEO Kenji Yasukawa, who took the reins in April, unveiled his 2018 strategic plan for the company May 22, including a shift in R&D focus and restructuring of Japan operations. The pharma anticipates a decline in its FY19 core operating profit due to loss of exclusivity for key products and aims to generate mid- to long-term growth in core operating profit beginning in FY2020.

Astellas' top priority under the plan is investing in business growth. The three-pronged strategy emphasizes approvals and expanded labels for key marketed and late-stage products, introduces focus areas for early stage R&D and creates a new Rx+ business for additional revenues...