Holding Onto Billions, Astellas CEO Hunts for Next Blockbuster

A $110 million bet on a prostate cancer medicine gave Astellas Pharma Inc. a blockbuster that helped turn it into one of Asia’s most valuable drugmakers. Now, with patent expirations looming in 2019, Chief Executive Officer Yoshihiko Hatanaka is setting off on a hunt for his next best seller.

Armed with about $3.6 billion in cash, the Japanese drugmaker is assessing various investment options.

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