News Releases

Astellas Pharma US, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, and VESIcare® (solifenacin succinate) Sponsor the #18 Race Car at Atlanta Motor Speedway to Raise Awareness about Overactive Bladder
Rookie Driver J.J. Yeley to Drive VESIcare Car at Bass Pro Shop MBNA 500

Atlanta, GA (October 29, 2006) — It is estimated that 17 million men and women in the United States, especially those age 50 and older, may have a common yet under-recognized medical condition, called overactive bladder (OAB). To bring attention to the condition, Astellas Pharma US, Inc. (Astellas) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) are working together with NASCAR rookie, J.J. Yeley, who will be driving #18 Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet during the Bass Pro Shop MBNA 500 Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, October 29th.

The sponsorship is part of an ongoing promotional campaign to help raise awareness about OAB and VESIcare® (solifenacin succinate) tablets, a treatment for OAB marketed by Astellas and GSK. The campaign goal for VESIcare is to help make sufferers aware that their condition may be treatable and to encourage a dialogue between patients and health care professionals. The logo for VESIcare will be displayed on the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet driven by J.J. Yeley.

“I’m proud of having Astellas and GlaxoSmithKline as primary sponsors, as well as my role in helping raise awareness about a condition that affects millions of people in the United States,” said Yeley. “It’s surprising how many people are impacted by OAB, which may affect many of our race fans. This sponsorship helps communicate the availability of a medicine that can treat this condition.”

“Since NASCAR is such a prominent sport, this sponsorship is a great way to bring important messages about overactive bladder to a large audience,” said Stan Hull, senior vice president of U.S. Pharmaceuticals at GSK, which is co-promoting VESIcare with Astellas. “OAB may have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life and many people with OAB mistakenly believe the disease cannot be treated so I commend the entire #18 team for joining us in the effort to help race fans better understand conditions like OAB.”

About Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder affects an estimated 17 million men and women in the United States, yet many mistakenly believe it cannot be treated. For people with OAB, inappropriate signals are sent to the muscles in the bladder causing them to contract before the bladder is full. These bladder contractions may cause strong, sudden urges, and a frequent need to go to the bathroom, sometimes without any advance warning. Many patients cope with their symptoms by restricting fluids, carrying extra clothing, and “mapping” bathroom locations wherever they go. Some patients even curtail their social activities for fear of an embarrassing leaking accident.

About VESIcare

VESIcare is for urgency, frequency, and leakage (overactive bladder). VESIcare is not for everyone. Patients should not take VESIcare if they have certain types of stomach, urinary, or glaucoma problems. While taking VESIcare, if patients experience a serious allergic reaction, severe abdominal pain, or become constipated for three or more days, they should tell their doctor right away. In studies, common side effects were dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and indigestion. For complete prescribing information for VESIcare, go to www.vesicare.com.

About Astellas Pharma US, Inc.

Astellas Pharma US, Inc., located in Deerfield, Illinois, is a US 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 pharmaceutical company by combining outstanding R&D and marketing capabilities and continuing to grow in the world pharmaceutical market. For more information about Astellas Pharma US, Inc., please visit our website at www.astellas.com/us.

About GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline, one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better, and live longer. For more information, please visit the company’s Web site at www.gsk.com.

About Joe Gibbs Racing

Joe Gibbs Racing is one of the premier organizations in NASCAR, fielding three NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams for drivers J.J. Yeley (No. 18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet), Tony Stewart (No. 20 The Home Depot Chevrolet) and Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Chevrolet) and two NASCAR Busch Series teams for drivers J.J. Yeley (No. 18 Vigoro/The Home Depot Chevrolet) and Denny Hamlin (No. 20 Rockwell Automation Chevrolet). Based in Huntersville, N.C., and owned by Joe Gibbs – a three-time Super Bowl-winning coach, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and current coach of the Washington Redskins – the team has competed in NASCAR since 1992, winning two of the last five Cup Series championships and more than 40 NASCAR races, including the 1993 Daytona 500 and the 2000 and 2005 Brickyard 400.

 

For further information: John Singler, Larry Camp & Associates: 704-788-7979 GSK: Marc Meachem, Product Communications, GlaxoSmithKline: 919-483-8756 Astellas: Maribeth Landwehr, Assistant Director, Corporate Communications, Astellas: 847-317-8988
Stay Connected

Get only the email alerts you want.

Subscribe

Media Contacts

 

For media inquiries and reporter requests, please email us at corporate.communications@us.astellas.com.

Our communications team will respond to verified media requests within 24-48 hours as appropriate.

If you are not a reporter and need assistance, please visit our contact us page that includes information for patients, healthcare providers and researchers.

 

Download Fact Sheet
Sustainability
Investors
Explore U.S. Products