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Astellas Experiments With Partnering Models For a Phase IIa Ulcerative Colitis Compound

 
• By Daniel Poppy

Astellas out-licensed a melanocortin receptor agonist to a virtual company backed by Astellas' corporate venture arm.

TOKYO – Astellas Pharma Inc. has created what it calls a "uniquely structured partnership" in out-licensing a compound to Drais Pharmaceuticals Inc.,which in turn established a virtual company, Telsar Pharma, Inc., solely to develop the compound. Astellas hasn't washed its hands of the compound though; its corporate venture arm invested in the virtual company and retains a number of negotiation rights if the compound reaches proof-of-concept.

Astellas out-licensed ulcerative colitis therapy ASP3291, a melanocortin receptor agonist in the planning stages of a Phase IIa study, to...

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China Sentences Astellas Employee To 3.5 Years In Prison On Spy Charges

 
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More from Focus On Asia

Sino Biopharm Scoops LaNova In Chinese Pharma’s Biggest Biotech Buyout So Far

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

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China Sentences Astellas Employee To 3.5 Years In Prison On Spy Charges

 
• By Lisa Takagi

An employee of Astellas faces three and a half years in prison after sentencing by a court in China on espionage charges.

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• By Anju Ghangurde

Sun’s Leqselvi goes up against Lilly's Olumiant and Pfizer's Litfulo, which currently has the broadest label, in the US alopecia market. Can it shake things up early, amid growing activity in the space with several new mechanisms of action being investigated?