Astellas Pharma US, Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. has entered into a distribution agreement with Tecnofarma International Ltd. to distribute enzalutamide (Xtandi in the US) in Latin America, excluding Brazil, upon regulatory approvals in the various countries. Financial terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

"We are pleased to initiate a distribution arrangement for enzalutamide with Tecnofarma, which represents an important milestone to further expand our oncology business in Latin America," said Martin Mercer, vice president of Latin America. "Tecnofarma, with whom Astellas already has a relationship through our Mycamine distribution agreement in Latin America, has a strong Latin American sales and marketing oncology organization, which is why they are an ideal partner to help build the Astellas oncology pipeline with enzalutamide."

Jorge Ramos, CEO Latin America for Tecnofarma, said, "We want to thank Astellas for trusting us with the distribution rights of this important product. It is an extremely valuable new option for patients in this region."

Enzalutamide (Xtandi in the US) is an oral, once-daily androgen receptor inhibitor. Xtandi was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on August 31, 2012 for the treatment of metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer for patients who have previously received docetaxel (chemotherapy). On May 30, 2013, Health Canada approved Xtandi (enzalutamide) capsules for the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in the setting of medical or surgical castration who have received docetaxel therapy. Marketing applications for Xtandi have also been submitted in Japan, Europe, Switzerland, South Korea and Brazil.

Astellas Pharma US, Inc. is an affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products.

Tecnofarma is a principal supplier of pharmaceutical products to the Latin American market. Tecnofarma provides leading pharmaceutical products and technologies in a variety of therapeutic categories.