Astellas Renews Commitment With CUA-CUOG To Advance Uro-Oncology Research In Canada

MARKHAM, ON, Dec. 2, 2016 /CNW/ - Genitourinary cancer research in Canada will continue to receive funding thanks to the long-standing research collaboration between the Canadian Urological Association-Canadian Urologic Oncology Group (CUA-CUOG) and Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc. (Astellas).

Building on the success of the CUA-CUOG Astellas Research Grant Program launched in 2013, Astellas has pledged a further $450,000 over 3 years to extend their commitment to further Canadian investigators' peer-reviewed research that promotes excellence in prostate cancer research, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care.

"On behalf of the CUA and CUOG we would like to thank Astellas for their continued support. Collaborations like the CUA-CUOG Astellas Grant help Canadian researchers continue to better understand this disease and improve the lives of patients affected by prostate cancer," said Dr. Fred Saad, Professor and Chief of Urology and Director of G-U Oncology at Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM).

Oncology continues to be a priority therapeutic area for Astellas and the company is proud to support the efforts of the Canadian oncology community through its ongoing contributions to investigator research and patient programs.

"We are thrilled to continue our support of prostate cancer research through our collaboration with the CUA-CUOG," said Fran Paradiso-Hardy, Senior Director, Medical Affairs at Astellas Pharma Canada. "We feel this important program can contribute to improved options for patient care and have a meaningful impact on patients' lives."

Applications for the 2017 CUA-CUOG Astellas Research Grant Programare due April 3, 2017 and the recipients will be announced at the next annual CUOG meeting.

For more information about the application process and eligibility criteria, please visit CUOG's website, www.cuog.org.

About the Canadian Urologic Oncology Group (CUOG)
The Canadian Urologic Oncology Group (CUOG) is a clinical research investigator network of leading academic and community based urologists, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists, committed to furthering genitourinary (GU) cancer research in Canada. 

CUOG pursues clinical trials in concert with the pharmaceutical industry to find medicines and cures to tackle urological disorders including, but not restricted to:

• Prostate cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Renal cancer
• Testicular cancer

More information about CUOG can be found at www.cuog.org.

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. In Canada, Astellas has an intense commercial focus on four 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.