[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 88 (Tuesday, June 28, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1393]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING ASTELLAS PHARMA ON OPENING ITS NORTH AMERICAN HEADQUARTERS

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                         HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 28, 2005

  Mr. KIRK. I would like to recognize a very positive and significant 
development in the continuing growth of the biotech industry in 
Illinois. On April 1, 2005, Astellas Pharma U.S., Inc. officially 
opened its North American headquarters in my home Congressional 
district of Deerfield, Illinois.
  Astellas Pharma U.S., Inc. is a new global company created by the 
merger of two leading pharmaceutical firms. Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc., 
based in Deerfield, and Yamanouchi Pharma America, Inc., based in New 
Jersey, merged their North American headquarter operations at 
Fujisawa's former headquarters in Deerfield, Illinois. This merger 
resulted in the creation and retention of a significant number of 
biotech industry related jobs for the State of Illinois and the 10th 
Congressional District. The merger of these two international 
pharmaceutical entities creates a global company with the mission of 
improving healthcare around the world through the provision of 
innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products.
  In the past, this Deerfield based company has been an excellent 
corporate citizen and served the local healthcare community well. In 
addition to developing pharmaceutical therapies, Fugisawa's 
philanthropic activities included a large endowment to the Pediatric 
Dermatologic Research conducted through the Children's Memorial 
Institute for Education and Research. This particular act of 
philanthropy was the largest gift ever made to Children's Memorial 
Hospital by a corporation.
  As the Co-Chair of the Congressional Kidney Caucus, I am aware of 
some of the lifesaving therapies that Fujisawa and Yamanouchi already 
pioneered in areas such as solid organ transplantation, 
immunosuppression and urology. I look forward to working with the 
global firm of Astellas as it continues to tap the potential of the 
life sciences and support healthy living for people around the world. I 
congratulate the people of Astellas and wish them well in their efforts 
to make contributions to health and employment in Illinois.

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