Astellas and the CNTRP Continue Partnership and Commitment to Canadian Research Innovation

Recipients of the second annual Research Innovation Grant competition announced

MARKHAM, ON, April 27, 2016 /CNW/ - Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc. (Astellas) and the Canadian National Transplant Research Program (CNTRP) today announced the recipients of the second CNTRP Astellas Research Innovation Grant Competition. The grant recipients each received $25,000 to support peer-reviewed pilot research projects that align with a key strategic research priority for the CNTRP in the area of personalized medicine approaches in transplantation to improve health outcomes. Astellas congratulates this year's recipients:

Dr. Simon F. Dufresne
Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC
Study Title: A comprehensive model to predict the risk of invasive aspergillosis after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
New CNTRP study within Project 5

Dr. Todd Lowary
University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
Study Title: Evaluation of a glyconanotechnology tool for personalized ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation
New CNTRP study within Project 4

Dr. Banu Sis
University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
Study Title: A 34-gene signature diagnostic test to determine the individualized likelihood of antibody-mediated rejection and kidney transplant failure using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded biopsy samples: a multicenter external validation study
New CNTRP study within Project 3

"These projects are important new pieces to the CNTRP and will have significant impact on both solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients," says Dr. Lori West, director of the CNTRP and director of the Alberta Transplant Institute. "This new funding will allow these investigators to integrate their research into the CNTRP structure, enabling them to leverage the full resources of the network to translate personalized medicine innovation into clinical practice.  We are very grateful for the ongoing support from Astellas that is helping the CNTRP achieve its goal of addressing the critical gaps and barriers to effective transplantation for Canadians."

Building on this successful partnership, Astellas and the CNTRP also announced the launch of the 2016 CNTRP Astellas Research Innovation Grant Competition and provide funding to support three new $25,000 pilot grants. In addition, the CNTRP is pleased that the Alberta Transplant Institute (ATI), The Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montreal (CHUM), and the University Health Network Multi-Organ Transplant Program (UHN MOT) will provide additional regional awards to each of their respective local transplantation research communities.

"Astellas is proud to continue to support the CNTRP, an organization with a rich history of producing high quality scientific research," said Fran Paradiso-Hardy, Senior Director of Medical Affairs, Astellas. "Through these strategic collaborations, we are building on a commitment to support the transplant research community with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life and survival of Canadians receiving transplants."

For more information about this grant competition and to learn more about the previous recipients, visit www.cntrp.ca/grant_competitions

About the Canadian National Transplant Research Program (CNTRP)

The Canadian National Transplant Research Program (CNTRP) is a national initiative designed to increase organ and tissue donation in Canada and enhance the outcomes and quality of life of Canadians who receive transplants. The research goals of the CNTRP:

• Increase the availability of transplants
• Extend the longevity of grafts
• Improve the long-term survival and quality of life of transplant patients
• Develop and enhance the pool of researchers and clinicians in the field of transplantation and donation
• Integrate and coordinate transplantation research nationwide

More information about CNTRP can be found at www.cntrp.ca.

About Astellas Pharma Inc.

Astellas Pharma Inc., based in Tokyo, Japan, is a company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. We focus on Urology, Oncology, Immunology, Nephrology and Neuroscience as prioritized therapeutic areas while advancing new therapeutic areas and discovery research leveraging new technologies/modalities. We are also creating new value by combining internal capabilities and external expertise in the medical/healthcare business. Astellas is on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into value for patients. For more information, please visit our website at www.astellas.com/en

About Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc.

Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc., headquartered in Markham, ON, is a Canadian affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc.  Astellas is dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. In Canada, Astellas has an intense commercial focus on the following therapeutic areas – Urology, Immunology, Infectious Disease and Oncology.

For more information about Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc., please visit the corporate website:  www.astellas.ca

SOURCE Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc.

Michelle Reale, Corporate Communications, Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc., [phone], [email protected]; Dr. Lori West, Director, Canadian National Transplant Research Program, [phone], [email protected]