Astellas Expands Drug Line In Asia To Offset U.S., Europe Losses
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
Astellas Pharma is responding to the loss of patent protection on some of its key drugs by turning to Asia as a market where the company can build its drug sales. The patents are being lost in Europe and in the United States, where sales already have weakened. Astellas plans to introduce in China its Vesicare (solifenacin) for overactive bladders and its extended-relief Advagraf (tacrolimus) immunosuppressant in South Korea and Taiwan, all by the end of this year. Next year, Astellas plans to market Advagraf in China and Thailand, pending approval, Mycamine (micafungin) antifungal in India this year and in Indonesia where it already sells its Harmal (tamsulosin) for urinary disorders, sold elsewhere as Flomax. (Click here for more - a subscription may be required