Astellas Pharma: Turning Science into Care for Patients

Astellas Pharma is a leading global biopharmaceutical company committed to developing innovative therapies for areas of unmet medical need. Their mission is to improve health and quality of life through scientific discovery and sustainable innovation. By combining collaboration, technology, and vision, they turn medical breakthroughs into real care for patients.

Astellas Pharma Bulgaria

Astellas Pharma joined DHI Cluster earlier this year. We spoke with Iliya Nikolov, Market Access and Government Affairs Country Lead, to introduce the company to our community and readers - and to share more about its mission, solutions, and vision for the future.

How would you describe your company to someone who has never heard of it? What inspired its creation?

Astellas Pharma is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to improve people’s lives through science that goes beyond the boundaries of traditional medicine.
The company was founded in 2005 through the merger of two leading Japanese pharmaceutical organizations - Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical and Fujisawa Pharmaceutical.
This merger created a strong global structure united by a common goal - to deliver innovative therapies that address unmet medical needs and help transform healthcare.

What is the main need or challenge your products and services address, and who are your main users or beneficiaries?

Astellas focuses on developing solutions for serious and socially significant diseases for which effective therapies are still lacking.
The company works actively in oncology, hematology, urology, transplantology, immunology, and neurological diseases.
Its products and innovative approaches are designed to support patients, physicians, hospitals, and healthcare institutions that share Astellas’ vision for safer, more effective, and more accessible treatments.

Tell us about your key product or solution. What makes it innovative, and how is it transforming healthcare?

Among Astellas’ most important achievements is the development of enzalutamide (Xtandi) - a therapy that has redefined the standard of care for prostate cancer worldwide.
The company also invests heavily in gene and cell therapy, immuno-oncology, and digital technologies that help medical professionals in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients.
Astellas’ goal is to provide more precise and personalized solutions that improve quality of life and extend healthy years for patients.

In how many countries do you operate, and what attracts you to these markets? What challenges do you face there?

Astellas operates in more than 70 countries across the world, with a strong presence in Japan, the United States, and Europe, as well as growing activity in Central and Eastern Europe, including Bulgaria.
The company’s market choices are guided by the desire to be close to the people who need its solutions most.
The main challenges lie in differences between healthcare systems, regulatory frameworks, and access pathways, but Astellas believes that through partnerships, open dialogue, and sustainable models, it can ensure faster access to innovation.

What do you see as the most serious challenges facing healthcare systems today, and how does your company contribute to addressing them?

Healthcare systems around the world face multiple challenges – aging populations, rising rates of chronic disease, and the need for effective cost management.
Astellas contributes to solving these challenges through innovative, evidence-based therapies and digital solutions that help optimize processes and resources in healthcare delivery.
Its mission is to create value for patients and society by combining science, technology, and sustainability.

What motivated you to join the DHI Cluster?

Astellas’ membership in the Digital Health and Innovation Cluster Bulgaria is part of its strategic commitment to advancing the digital transformation of the healthcare sector in the country.
The Cluster unites companies and organizations that develop innovative technologies for healthcare, and Astellas believes that collaboration and knowledge exchange are key to accelerating the adoption of intelligent solutions for the benefit of patients and society.

What are your goals for the next 1–3 years?

In the short term, Astellas aims to:
• Expand its portfolio in oncology and gene therapy
• Introduce digital tools to support clinical trials and patient monitoring
• Strengthen partnerships with academic institutions and healthcare organizations
• Promote a sustainable business model that ensures access to innovation in Bulgaria and across the region

How do you envision the future of healthcare in 10 years, and what role will your company play in it?

Astellas believes that the future of healthcare will be more personalized, more digital, and data-driven.
The company will continue to be a driver of this transformation, combining science, technology, and human experience.
Its vision is for a world where diseases are detected earlier, treatments are more precise, and patients live longer and healthier lives.