Astellas signs FibroGen anemia deal of up to $2B

Japanese drug major Astellas has exclusively in-licensed USA-based FibroGen's hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors for development and marketing for the treatment of anemia in Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Middle East and South Africa.

Under the terms of the agreement, Astellas will pay a licensing fee of $300.0 million upon signing, milestones totaling $465.0 million and share in the costs of a transatlantic development program and patent support.

If all forecast sales targets are achieved, FibroGen could receive in excess of $2.0 billion during the 10 to 15 years after 2010. In addition, Astellas will purchase $50.0 million worth of shares in the US biotechnology firm.