The Astellas European Foundation Winner of Urology 2011 Grant Announced

By The Astellas European Foundation, PRNE
Saturday, March 19, 2011

VIENNA, March 21, 2011 - The Astellas European Foundation is delighted to announce the winner of
the 2011 Urology Grant:

Mr James Catto from the University of Sheffield, UK

The University's team led by Mr Catto received the grant of US$ 300,000
to support work on their project entitled 'Examination of the role of
non-coding RNA in the mediation of chemoresistance in bladder cancer' at the
Astellas European Foundation Award Event, last night.

Dr Ayad Abdulahad, Astellas European Foundation Trustee and Vice
President of Medical Affairs and Health Economics for Astellas Pharma Europe
Ltd. commented, "We received 37 entries from across Europe and as always, the
standard of these entries was extremely high, covering a broad range of
topics in urology. It was very difficult for the Judging Faculty to choose
one winner, but Mr Catto's research will potentially help to improve survival
from invasive bladder cancer, where the prognosis is poor and has not changed
in many years." He continued "the Foundation would especially like to
acknowledge all those who submitted their research proposals."

The Astellas European Foundation is a registered charity. It was set up
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 Urology Award supports basic
medical and related scientific programmes which contribute to advancements in
urology. The winner of the grant was chosen by a Judging Faculty that
includes independent European thought leaders.

At the Awards Presentation Event in Vienna, Austria, the Astellas
European Foundation emphasised their continued and long term commitment to
research and development.

Mr Catto said "We are delighted to have received this grant from the
Astellas European Foundation in support of our research. We hope that one day
our project will help to direct chemotherapy to those tumours most likely to
respond and ultimately improve outcomes. We look forward to reporting our
findings in the future."

Notes to Editors

About The Astellas European Foundation

The Astellas European Foundation is a registered charity, formed in 2005,
with the long-term goal of providing support for programmes and activities
that contribute to the advancement of an increasingly healthy society. In
line with this aim, the Foundation made substantial donations to the global
charities. The Astellas European Foundation also supports Astellas employees
in their private fundraising efforts for charitable causes. 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
3,900 staff across these regions.

www.astellas.com/eu

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

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