The 113th annual meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA) takes place May 18-21 in San Francisco, where Astellas will once again showcase its commitment to urology, scientific advancement and pioneering research. Astellas is pleased to celebrate a rich and long history of collaboration with the AUA, dating back to the company’s roots with the Yamanouchi and Fujisawa pharmaceutical companies.

This year will be Astellas’ 14th at AUA, the first being in 2005 in San Antonio, Texas. That meeting was the company’s first appearance post-merger and the first with a urology product on the market in VESIcare, which was approved by the FDA in November 2004. The company was primed for a leadership role in the growing urology space.

“That was a very special year for us,” said Mark Schwitzenberg, vice president of marketing, urology and hospital business unit at Astellas. “It was our first in many ways, with VESIcare offering new possibilities for patients who were unable to tolerate other OAB therapies, and a new corporate commitment to the development of breakthrough products and addressing unmet patient needs.”

Over the years, Astellas has expanded its presence at the AUA meeting, with research presentations, a growing booth presence, product theaters and advocacy events. It has endeavored to advance the science of OAB through education, awareness and advocacy. These efforts were recognized by the AUA in 2006, when it awarded Astellas with its Health Science Award, given each year to a company that continually exemplifies the AUA’s mission to promote the highest standards of urological clinical care through education, research and the formulation of healthcare policy.

“Astellas is a strong supporter of advocacy organizations and we’ve been pleased to establish a meaningful relationship with the AUA over the years,” said Jenny Kite, senior manager, Astellas stakeholder engagement. “We look forward to many more years of active engagement and collaboration.”

Astellas further delivered on its commitment to advance treatment options for those with overactive bladder, presenting important data on mirabegron at AUA meetings every year from 2011 to 2018.

In 2014, Astellas teamed up with the AUA to secure the future of urology research through a $3 million commitment to the Urology Care Foundation’s Rising Star in Urology Research Award. The award supports outstanding young urologists who are continuing their work in critical areas of urology research, such as bladder cancer, incontinence, kidney cancer, prostate cancer and other urological conditions. Astellas had supported the Rising Star program for nearly a decade, but the endowment was the largest ever awarded to the Urology Care Foundation.  

For AUA 2018, Astellas is pleased to be discussing with urologists the recent FDA approval of Myrbetriq in combination with solifenacin succinate for the treatment of OAB with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency and urinary frequency. Combination therapy with Myrbetriq and solifenacin succinate provides healthcare practitioners an alternative option for appropriate OAB patients.

Astellas will also host an advocacy breakfast on shared decision-making with senior Astellas leadership and special guests.

Astellas looks forward to this year’s annual meeting and the groundbreaking research and deep collaboration that have become staples of its long relationship with the AUA.