NORTHBROOK, Ill., Nov. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Astellas US LLC, a subsidiary of Astellas Pharma Inc. ("Astellas") based in Tokyo, Japan, announced that Astellas was awarded Pharmaceutical Company of the Year at the 9th Annual SCRIP Awards. The accolade recognizes outstanding achievement by a pharmaceutical company, spanning all aspects of the business, including commercial success and pipeline development. The SCRIP Awards initiative salutes innovation and excellence across the international biopharmaceutical sector and is among the most prestigious in the industry.

With strong sales and a 17 percent increase in global profits, the last year has seen Astellas financially outperform many other businesses in the biopharmaceutical sector. But it is in drug discovery and innovation where the company has really made its mark. In the period appraised by the SCRIP judges (June 2012 to May 2013), ten Astellas treatment therapies were granted approval by medical authorities worldwide and the company launched 12 new brands across 20 markets. Among these were new therapies in Oncology, Anti-Infectives and Urology.

"With sales in the Americas region growing consistently, the last year has been exceptional for Astellas and it is great to be recognized as the best in the industry," commented Masao Yoshida, President and CEO of Astellas US LLC. "The passion and commitment needed to introduce 12 new medicines in different markets around the world in a single year is enormous, and this Award is a testament to the incredible work of our teams here and globally."

Astellas was founded in 2005 through the merger of Yamanouchi and Fujisawa, marrying nearly two centuries of collective experience in producing innovative and reliable medicines. The company focuses on improving the lives of patients by making long-term commitments to a number of strategically-chosen, specialist disease areas. Research and development (R&D) prioritizes disease areas where there is a vital need for better treatments, reinforcing the Company's commitment to providing new standards of care for patients and their doctors.

This specialism, depth of understanding and long-term view means that even as a mid-sized company, Astellas is able to make an important contribution to improving the health of people around the world. The Company is a recognized global category leader in Urology and Transplantation, producing some of the most widely-prescribed medicines for patients in these disease areas. Astellas is also committed to becoming a global category leader in Oncology.

ABOUT ASTELLAS
Astellas US LLC, located in Northbrook, Illinois, is an affiliate 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. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.us.

SOURCE Astellas US, LLC