ASTELLAS TO DISCONTINUE IMMUNOSUPPRESSANT DEVELOPMENT

Japanese drugmaker Astellas Pharma has announced that it has decided to discontinue development of FK778, an immunosuppressant.

Astellas recently began Phase II trials for FK778 for organ transplants in combination with Prograf in the U.S. and Europe. After careful review of the clinical data on FK778, however, the company has decided to discontinue further development of FK778 in organ transplantation since the data did not indicate clear benefits over current treatment options in combination with Prograf.