Astellas Targets 5 Percent Annual Sales Increase In North America
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
Japan's second largest drug maker Astellas is optimistic about sales growth in the North American market. The company aims to achieve an annual 5 percent increase and estimates a strong demand for the overactive bladder drug Vesicare (solifenacin), Astellas U.S. President Yoshihiko Hatanaka said during a Tokyo briefing Aug. 28. According to Hatanaka, the U.S. market for Vesicare is estimated to grow 44 percent to $349 million in 2008. The strong growth could help offset estimated decreased sales in Astellas' blockbuster immunosuppressant Prograf (tacrolimus), which has gone off-patent in the U.S. (Click here fore more - Japanese language)