Astellas Grows Partnership with the Canadian National Transplant Research Program to Catalyze Innovative Research in Transplantation

MARKHAM, ON, June 1, 2017 /CNW/ - Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc. (Astellas) announced today an increased commitment to innovation in the field of transplantation through support for the Canadian National Transplant Research Program (CNTRP) Astellas Research Innovation Grant Competition.

Launched in 2014 with an early investment of $50,000 from Astellas to support peer-reviewed pilot research projects, the competition grew rapidly with Astellas pledging $150,000 over 2015 and 2016 and an additional $360,000 committed by Canadian institutional partners. Astellas is now pledging a further $360,000 for competitions in 2017 and 2018.

"This grant competition has had a transformative impact on Canadian transplant investigators, and is an invaluable component of our national research program," said Dr. Lori West, director of the CNTRP.  "Our partnership with Astellas allows investigators from across Canada to integrate their research into the CNTRP structure, enabling them to leverage the full resources of the network to translate their research into clinical practice.  We are very grateful for the ongoing support from Astellas, and from our partners, who help the CNTRP achieve its goal of addressing the critical gaps and barriers to effective organ transplantation for Canadians."

Six grants of $30,000 each will be available to fund peer-reviewed pilot projects in 2017. The primary area of focus for this competition is to catalyze new translational focused research in organ donation and transplantation to improve health outcomes. The hope is that these pilot grants continue to attract new innovative research projects with the ultimate goal of improved health outcomes for patients.

"Astellas has always demonstrated a strong commitment to the Canadian Transplant community," said Fran Paradiso-Hardy, senior director of Medical Affairs, Astellas Pharma Canada. "Through this continued collaboration, we are building on our pledge to strive to enhance the survival and quality of life of Canadians who receive organ transplants."

The deadline for applications to the CNTRP Astellas Research Innovation Grant Competition is October 19, 2017.  For more information about the application process, including eligibility criteria, please visit www.cntrp.ca or www.astellas.ca.

About the Canadian National Transplant Research Program
The Canadian National Transplant Research Program (CNTRP) is a nationally funded research network that aims to help Canadians waiting for transplants and extend the lives of those who have already received one. The CNTRP develops new knowledge and health care practices to address barriers to tissue and organ donation, aims to increase the availability of transplants and seeks to enhance the survival and quality of life of patients living with a transplant. The CNTRP brings together over 300 investigators, trainees, patient partners and collaborators at 30 institutions across Canada, representing the major health researchers from basic biomedical, clinical and policy arenas.  The CNTRP weaves the solid organ transplant, hematopoietic cell transplant and donation and critical care communities into a highly integrated national research coalition together with patients, families and caregivers.  For more information about the CNTRP, visit 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 in 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.

For further information: Media contacts: Michelle Reale, Corporate Communications, Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc., (905) 946-5621, michelle.reale@astellas.com