STAINES, England, November 10 /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 Save the Children. 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 UK in Liberia, who have been able to vaccinate more than 35,000 children against one of the biggest killers, measles and a further 45,000 children against other childhood diseases.

Susan Grant of Save the Children, Liberia, commented:

"The Astellas donation, spread over two years, has enabled Save the Children, Liberia to fund a lifesaving vaccination programmes. Not only did Save the Children and Astellas reach the target of vaccinating 35,000 children against Measles, but through Astellas's generous donation Save the Children were able to purchase vehicles, including four motorbikes. This transportation provided Save the Children with vital access to remote and hard to reach rural areas, enabling us to provide basic healthcare and vaccinate a further 45,000 children against other childhood diseases."

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

"Astellas has taken a long-term commitment to support Save the Children in projects that change the lives of children around the world. We have been very happy to contribute to such a worthwhile cause vaccinating children against deadly measles in Liberia."

Save the Children, Cyclone Nargis Myanmar (Burma) emergency appeal was one of the four recipients of the Astellas Changing Tomorrow Charity Awards. Cyclone Nargis tore through Myanmar (Burma) on 3rd May 2008, killing almost 85,000 children and leaving more than 2.4 million homeless. Save the Children immediately started to raise funds for emergency aid to help the millions of people displaced by the devastating effect of the cyclone.

Andrew Kirkwood, Country Director Save the Children, Myanmar (Burma) commented:

"Astellas' support has been invaluable and the funds provided really is saving lives and aiding the recovery of those most at need. Roads, buildings and crops were destroyed, water supplies contaminated and schools were brought to the ground. Children are extremely vulnerable in times of disaster, many became separated from their parents and families leaving them incredibly vulnerable to potentially fatal diseases - cholera, malaria, dysentery, pneumonia, skin infections and diarrhoea - neglect, abuse and trafficking. With Astellas' generous donation to Save the Children we were able to reach 52,000 people in Myanmar (Burma) with essential lifesaving health and hygiene supplies. In this case Astellas's donation has literally saved thousands of lives."

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 R&D 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 R&D site and three manufacturing plants with approximately 3,400 staff.

http://www.astellas.eu