Astellas Chooses Copenhagen as Nordic Headquarter

Astellas, the second largest pharmaceutical company in Japan formed after a merger between Yamanouchi and Fujisawa in April, has chosen to place its Nordic headquarters in Copenhagen and plans to make it the platform for strong growth in the Nordic region. The objective is to be among the ten largest pharmaceutical companies in the region in a few years.

Astellas' research budget is USD 1.3 bn, and revenues for 2005 are forecast at USD 7.3 bn. The company's top selling product is the blockbuster Prograf, a drug used for heart transplantation. In Europe, Astellas employs 3,000 people.

For further information please contact:

Mats Persson

Nordic CEO

Tel: +45 43 43 03 55

Email: kontakt@yamanouchi.dk

Or visit: http://www.astellas.com