ASTELLAS ENDS LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH LES LABORATORIES FOR FK481

Japan-based Astellas Pharma has announced that its has terminated a license agreement with Les Laboratoires Servier, headquartered in France, regarding the anti-osteoporosis agent FK481 (strontium ranelate), which Astellas in-licensed from Servier.

The agent is an anti-osteoporosis agent that decreases bone resorption and increases bone formation. Astellas obtained exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and market the product for the Japanese market in 2001.

Current Phase II trials being conducted in Japan have indicated an excellent efficacy and safety profile of the agent, said Astellas. As a result of reevaluation of the priority of its current development pipeline, coupled with economic feasibility, however, the company has chosen to withdraw from the further development of FK481 in Japan.