DEERFIELD, IL, April 1, 2009 – Astellas Pharma US, Inc. (“Astellas”) announced today Seigo Kashii, has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the North American subsidiary of Astellas Pharma Inc. His predecessor, Yoshihiko Hatanaka, will become the Chief Strategy Officer (“CStO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) at Astellas Pharma Inc. in Tokyo, Japan.

"Mr. Kashii’s outstanding leadership will further strengthen and accelerate the direction Astellas has established in our pursuit of our corporate objectives,” said Yoshihiko Hatanaka, CStO and CFO at Astellas Pharma Inc. “Mr. Kashii’s ability to deliver results and his deep understanding of our science-driven business make him an excellent choice to continue positioning Astellas as a category leader.”

Mr. Kashii’s career spans 31 years with Astellas where he has held positions in Legal Affairs, Corporate Planning and Strategy, lead a former US subsidiary, PMP Fermentation Products located in Peoria, IL. and as a medical sales representative in Japan. Most recently, Mr. Kashii served as the Corporate Executive & Vice President of Legal for Astellas Pharma Inc.

Mr. Kashii received a Bachelor of Pharmacy from Kyoto College of Pharmacy and became a licensed registered pharmacist in Japan in 1978. In 1992 he earned his law degree from University of Kobe.

About Astellas

Astellas Pharma US, Inc., located in Deerfield, Illinois, is a U.S. 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. The organization is committed to becoming a global category leader in focused areas by combining outstanding R&D and marketing capabilities. In the US, Astellas markets products in the areas of Immunology, Urology, Anti-Infectives, Cardiovascular and Dermatology. For more information about Astellas Pharma US, inc., please visit our website at www.us.astellas.com.