In May 2017, Astellas acquired Ogeda, a clinical-stage drug discovery company. Located in Gosselies, Belgium, Ogeda focuses on discovering and developing small molecule drugs targeting G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs).

The addition of Ogeda's lead investigational candidate, fezolinetant, a small-molecule selective neurokinin-3 (NK3) receptor antagonist, is an important asset that advances our late-stage clinical pipeline. We are investigating fezolinetant as a potential non-hormonal oral therapy for menopause-related vasomotor symptoms (MR-VMS), or “hot flashes,” which are commonly experienced during menopause.

"This acquisition helps us focus on advancing our scientific research to deliver value and innovative treatments to patients in therapeutic areas with high unmet medical needs," said Arwin Ridder, global development project leader, Therapeutic Area Urology & Nephrology. "Ultimately, we want to deliver a potential new treatment option to patients suffering from MR-VMS.”

What is VMS?
VMS represents a bothersome symptom of menopause – hot flashes. It is associated with a sudden sensation of heat in the face, neck and chest and persists for several minutes or fewer. It may take 30 minutes or longer for the skin temperature to return to baseline. These symptoms can disturb sleep and compromise working time. VMS impacts a high proportion of women. It is projected that more than 500 million women (50 million U.S. women) in 2020 will be older than 51 – many of them troubled by years of VMS.

[1] https://www.census.gov/population/international/data/idb/worldpop.php