The major Japanese firm says decision prompted by desire to focus more resources on late-stage clinical candidates and core therapeutic areas, while expanding deals.

Analysts pointed to SEL-212’s more favorable dosing and adverse event profile with fewer limitations that may harm compliance versus Krystexxa from Horizon, which is soon to be acquired by Amgen.

Neuroscience and oncology fuel high hopes for therapeutic R&D progress among 90-plus surveyed biopharma industry leaders.

Despite facing two clinical holds for its gene therapy candidates, Astellas is committed to proceeding with R&D projects in this modality. Outgoing CEO Kenji Yasukawa says technical challenges have motivated the firm's recent deals with academia and bioventures, and also provided updates on other key pipeline assets in the second part of this exclusive interview with Scrip.