April 1, 2021 -- Astellas Pharma announced that it will integrate its wholly owned subsidiary, Audentes Therapeutics, and establish Astellas Gene Therapies within the organization. Genetic regulation will become one of the primary focuses of research and development strategy at Astellas.
The restructuring will advance the company's activities from research and development, manufacturing, and commercialization of the associated programs with a foundation in adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy.
Further, Astellas Gene Therapies will serve as a center of excellence to achieve more effective and efficient operations. The center will operate through three divisions specializing in gene therapy research including technical operations, medical and development, and future commercialization of gene therapy programs.
The center will focus on programs for neuromuscular diseases brought by Audentes, including its lead program AT132 (for X-linked myotubular myopathy) and AT845 (for Pompe disease), in addition to advancing additional Astellas' gene therapy programs toward clinical investigation.