Japan-based Astellas Pharma Inc. (TYO: 4503) reported a 17.1% year-on-year (YOY) increase in global sales revenues to JPY 381.79 billion (USD 2.89 billion) for the fiscal Q1 period ending June 30, 2022. The growth was driven by strong performance from key oncology and nephrology products.
Core Product Highlights
- Xtandi (enzalutamide): The prostate cancer drug generated JPY 162.4 billion (USD 1.23 billion) in sales, up 22.2% YOY, making it Astellas’s top-selling product.
- Padcev (enfortumab vedotin): The urothelial cancer ADC saw 151.6% YOY growth to JPY 10.6 billion (USD 80.2 million), marking the fastest growth among core products.
- Xospata (gilteritinib): The acute myeloid leukemia (AML) therapy contributed to revenue growth.
- Evrenzo (roxadustat): The renal anemia therapy also supported sales increases.
Regional Growth
Greater China was Astellas’s fastest-growing region, with sales expanding 41% to JPY 23.2 billion (USD 175.6 million). The surge was attributed to:
- Xtandi’s NRDL Listing: The drug gained its first National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) listing in March 2021.
- Post-COVID Recovery: Reduced shipments during the prior fiscal year’s COVID-19 outbreak led to a low base, boosting QOQ comparisons.
Prograf’s Stable Performance
Prograf (tacrolimus), used to prevent graft rejection in transplants, avoided inclusion in China’s national volume-based procurement (VBP) program due to its narrow therapeutic window. Chief Commercial Officer Yukio Matsui noted patient and healthcare professional concerns over generic substitution risks. While included in Guangdong’s local VBP, COVID-19-related healthcare priorities limited its impact.-Fineline Info & Tech
