Canadian Urological Association Partners with Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc.

Partnership establishes grant to advance urology research in Canada

MARKHAM, ON, March 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - The Canadian Urological Association (CUA) and Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc. have announced the creation of a research alliance aimed at advancing research and patient care in the field of urology. Astellas Pharma Canada has pledged $750,000 over a period of five years to support Canadian investigators in urology. The objective of the CUA Astellas Research Grant Program is to support peer-reviewed research that promotes excellence in urological research with the ultimate goal of improving patient care.

"Urology research has been generally under-funded in Canada," says Dr. Sender Herschorn, BSc, MDCM, FRCSC, Past President, Canadian Urological Association. "Astellas' contribution to research and development truly demonstrates the company's continued commitment to urology in Canada. Most significantly, it will help us to address gaps in patient care. This is very important to the CUA."

Specifically, the CUA's mission is to represent and provide a voice for all Canadian urologists and to foster dedication of all members of the profession toward ensuring the highest possible standard of urologic care for Canadians.

The Grant Program reflects the CUA's commitment to thought leadership, practice excellence and life-long learning, explains Dr. Ricardo Rendon, Chair of Scientific Council of Canadian Urological Association Scholarship Fund (CUASF). "The support provided by this Grant Program will help us tackle some of the questions we haven't previously had the resources to take on. We are hopeful this program will have a positive and real impact on clinical practice."

The primary focus of the Grant Program is to support research in functional urology such as overactive bladder (OAB), lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), pelvic floor disorders, voiding dysfunctions, neurogenic bladder, etc. The secondary focus is to support other urology areas such as urologic cancer, other community-based research, etc. Grant recipients are expected to demonstrate improved understanding of the specific research area and/or contribute to improving patient care.

"Urology is a priority therapeutic area for Astellas," said Michael Tremblay, President, Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc. "We have an unwavering commitment to patients suffering from urologic conditions and to the medical professionals who treat them. As a research-based company we understand the responsibility that falls to industry to support Canadian research, therefore we're delighted to collaborate with the CUA and are confident that the outcome of this research will ultimately lead to improved therapies and quality of life."

About the Canadian Urology Association (CUA)

The CUA Mission is to represent and provide a voice for all Canadian urologists and to foster dedication of all members of the profession toward ensuring the highest possible standard of urologic care for Canadians.

The goals of the CUA are to

• To foster and promote excellence in urologic practice through education and research
• To provide leadership in promoting evidence based clinical practice through the development of practice guidelines
• To foster and promote life-long learning by Canadian urologists through continuous professional development
• To provide leadership in public education for urologic diseases
• To represent Canadian urology in developing and fostering partnerships while maintaining the highest educational and ethical standards
• To represent the Canadian urologic community in relationships with national and international medical societies

More information about CUA can be found at www.cua.org.

About Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc. Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc., a Canadian affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. ("Astellas"), is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to changing tomorrow by improving the health of people around the world through innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products.

Astellas has an intense focus on five key therapeutic areas - Urology, Immunology including Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, Oncology, Neuroscience and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) Complications and Metabolic Diseases. Astellas is considered a leader in these fields. For more information about Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc., please visit www.astellas.ca

SOURCE Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc.