STAINES, England, November 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Astellas Pharma Europe, the European subsidiary of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc, one of the world's top 20 pharmaceutical companies, can today announce details of an Astellas Changing Tomorrow Charity Award for the International Foundation for Dermatology. The charity award is a funding programme designed to award organisations that help citizens, of all communities, realise their full potential and enhance their quality of life - both today and in the future.

The Astellas Changing Tomorrow Charity Awards complement the company's existing ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes. These embody a global and European commitment to supporting medical research and education and uphold the company's strong ethical principles. Among the main CSR-initiatives is the Astellas Pharma Europe Foundation, a registered charity with a long-term goal of providing support for programmes and activities that contribute to the advancement of an increasingly healthy society. Recent beneficiaries of the Foundation include Save the Children Liberia, which has been able to vaccinate 35,000 children against measles and a total of 45,000 children against other childhood diseases.

Mr Masao Yoshida, President and CEO of Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd, commented:

The International Foundation for Dermatology supports many important projects in the developing world. We are pleased, via the Astellas Changing Tomorrow Charity Awards, to help this worthwhile Foundation make a difference to improve dermatology training in countries of need.

The International Foundation of Dermatology (IFD), one of the four recipients of the Astellas Changing Tomorrow Charity Awards, was created in 1987 as an arm of the International Committee of Dermatology of the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS). The IFD is a non-profit organisation whose principal mission is to improve dermatological care in underserved areas of the developing world. It is responsible for training primary care leads and dermatologists in subsaharan Africa from the Regional Dermatology Training Centre in Tanzania and has developed programmes in other countries such as Mali and Mexico The IFD is an integral arm of the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) representing more than 25,000 members from over 60 nations.

Professor Roderick J Hay, Chairman of The International Foundation of Dermatology, commented:

The IFD is delighted to have received this award and the associated funding. This contribution will specifically help us to support patients suffering from skin diseases in developing countries and at the same time provide dermatology training to local primary care workers.

Astellas Pharma Europe employs approximately 3,400 people in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the Middle East and Africa. Dedicated to improving people's lives around the world through the introduction of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products, it has key strengths in the therapy areas of Transplantation, Urology, Dermatology and Anti-infectives.

Notes to Editors

About Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd.

Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd., located in the UK, is a European subsidiary of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. The organisation is committed to becoming a global company by combining outstanding RD and marketing capabilities and continuing to grow in the world pharmaceutical market. Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd. is responsible for 20 affiliate offices located across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, an RD site and three manufacturing plants with approximately 3,400 staff.

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SOURCE: Astellas Pharma Europe Limited

CONTACT: For more information please contact: Corporate Communications,Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd., +44(0)1784-419-480,Astellas.European.Communications@eu.astellas.com