Astellas Pharma Inc. will divest one of its business units to Luxembourg-based Eurofins Scientific SE as part of a restructuring of its Japanese operations.
The sale of Astellas Analytical Science Laboratories Co. Ltd. is expected to close within the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, Astellas said. The unit offers analytical testing services, including assessment of raw materials, drug substances and preparations related to drug approval applications.
Tokyo-based Astellas will also discontinue all activities in Astellas Research Technologies Co. Ltd. and Astellas Marketing and Sales Support Co. Ltd.
The drug maker will also halt all operations of Astellas Learning Institute Co. Ltd. except its green-supply supporting operations.
As part of the reorganization, Astellas is introducing an early retirement incentive program during the fiscal year for the company's employees, and estimates about 600 staff to apply for the program.
