The Astellas European Foundation Winner of Transplantation Grant 2011 Announced

GLASGOW, Scotland, September 7, 2011 -

The Astellas European Foundation is delighted to announce the winner of the 2011 Transplantation Grant:

Dr Christian Toso of the University of Geneva, Switzerland

Last evening, the University’s team, led by Dr Toso, received the grant of US$ 300,000 to support work on their project entitled ‘Towards a tailored immuno-suppression after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma‘ at the Astellas European Foundation Award presentation.

Dr Ayad Abdulahad, Astellas European Foundation Trustee and Vice President Medical Affairs and Health Economics for Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd. commented, “We received many entries of a very high standard which covered a broad range of topics across Europe.  In the face of very strong competition the Jury chose Dr Toso’s research based on its potential impact on clinical practice.  The team’s aim is to tailor immunosuppressive strategy for individual patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. It is very exciting and, in the future, their results could possibly be applied to other cancers.”

At the Award Presentation Event in Glasgow, UK, the Astellas European Foundation emphasised their continued and long term commitment to research and development in the field of transplant medicine.

Dr Toso said, “We thank the Astellas European Foundation for its generous support. Although liver transplantation is the most efficient treatment for patients with early  unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, some 10% of recipients still experience recurrence after transplantation. The aim of our study is to define the ideal immunosuppression strategy, both clearing cancer cells and preventing rejection. Such a study has the potential to better tailor immunosuppression after liver transplantation for cancer, improve outcomes and qualify some currently excluded patients with more advanced HCCs for transplantation.”

The Astellas European Foundation is a registered charity. It was established in 2005 with the  goal of providing support for programmes and activities that contribute to the advancement of an increasingly healthy society. The Astellas European Foundation Transplantation Grant supports basic medical and related scientific programmes which contribute to advancements in transplant medicine.  The winner of the grant was chosen by a Jury that includes independent European transplantation leaders.

www.astellas.com/eu

Notes to Editors

About The Astellas European Foundation

The Astellas European Foundation is a registered charity, established in 2005, with the long-term goal of providing support for programmes and activities that contribute to the advancement of an increasingly healthy society. The Astellas European Foundation is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales with number 1036344.

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 Ltd. is responsible for 21 affiliate offices located across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, an R&D site, and three manufacturing plants. The company employs approximately 4,000 staff across these regions.

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