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« Back to News HeadlinesFujisawa and Yamanouchi merge to form Astellas Europe
April 1, 2005Today (1 April 2005*) Fujisawa and Yamanouchi have officially merged to form Astellas. The merger has created a pharmaceutical company which ranks second in Japanese pharma market and 15th overall in the global pharma market.
Astellas employs over 3,000 people in Europe among sales and marketing, R&D and manufacturing activities. Sales across Europe will exceed €1 billion. The merger enables Astellas to strengthen its position in Europe. Astellas now has greater coverage of the European market, with 18 Sales and Marketing Affiliates, six plants and two Research & Development (R&D) sites. The merger will enable the new company to better support its European patients and doctors in its core therapy areas of Transplantation, Dermatology, and Urology.
The merger of Yamanouchi and Fujisawa in Europe has brought together two companies boasting renowned R&D capabilities and achievements. With a global R&D budget of over $1.3 billion dollars, Astellas now has increased resources to develop innovative products in its existing franchise areas. Astellas’ two R&D centres in Europe are located in Leiderdorp, Netherlands (the R&D headquarters) and Munich, Germany which is focused on transplantation. Astellas’ six manufacturing sites in Europe collectively produce over 200 different products and formulations and over a million packs a year.
The merger is seen as complimentary with little overlap in product lines. It is considered that the merger will enable Astellas to gain a competitive edge not possible by Fujisawa or Yamanouchi on a stand alone basis. The new organisation will have an established business platform in Japan, the US and Europe and will benefit from economies of scale through both R&D and sales and marketing integration.
Notes to Editors:
- Additional information slides further detailing Astellas and Astellas Europe are available.
- HQ in Tokyo. Employs over 15,000. Astellas Europe is headquartered just outside London in Staines, Middlesex. Astellas Europe employs over 3000 people and has total sales exceeding €1 billion. In Europe, Astellas has 18 Sales and Marketing Affiliates, six plants and two Research & Development (R&D) sites.
- Astellas develops and markets pharmaceuticals which provide the promise of a healthier life to people across the world. As a global pharmaceutical company Astellas is determined to be the ‘Leading Light for Life.’ This corporate message is directly reflected in Astellas’ business philosophy: “Contribute towards improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products.”
- *: Most countries will work together as one from 1 April 2005. This means that the appointed Astellas General Manager and Management Team will take operational control of both companies although they remain legally separate until the legal mergers later in the year.