Founded in 1923, Astellas Pharma is a global pharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing medicines for unmet medical needs. Its work spans oncology, immunology, neuroscience and genetic regulation, with research and drug-development capabilities directed toward improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
The portfolio analysed here contains 7,310 patents across 765 unique patent families. Of these records, 3,680 have been granted and 4,556 are active, equivalent to 62.32% of the portfolio. The remaining 2,754 records are inactive. This scale provides the foundation for the analysis that follows: how the portfolio developed, where it is concentrated, which assets carry influence, and where commercial and legal risks are emerging.
Scale is only the starting point
A majority-active portfolio, with a substantial inactive layer
The active-versus-inactive split is the clearest first measure of portfolio health. The chart below shows 4,556 active records against 2,754 inactive records. That inactive layer becomes strategically important later in the story, because it includes patents and applications affected by lapse, abandonment and other legal-status events.
Filing history shows a shift in innovation strategy
Astellas’ annual filing pattern is not linear. It builds through the early years, peaks during periods of portfolio expansion, and changes again as the company’s technology priorities evolve. The chart provides the long view, while the accompanying table isolates applications filed and patents granted from 2017 through 2026.
How Many Patents did Astellas Pharma File Every Year?
The apparent fall in filings in 2025 and 2026 should be interpreted cautiously. Patent applications can take up to 18 months to publish, so the most recent years are incomplete and do not necessarily indicate a decline in underlying filing activity.
| Year of Patents Filing or Grant | Astellas Pharma Applications Filed | Astellas Pharma Patents Granted |
| 2026 | 44 | 101 |
| 2025 | 152 | 246 |
| 2024 | 293 | 309 |
| 2023 | 532 | 295 |
| 2022 | 472 | 327 |
| 2021 | 408 | 410 |
| 2020 | 571 | 356 |
| 2019 | 448 | 345 |
| 2018 | 359 | 437 |
| 2017 | 534 | 413 |
From core drug protection to next-generation platforms
The 2015-2017 filing surge coincided with efforts to strengthen Astellas’ oncology pipeline and protect key commercial products. The increase in 2020 followed expansion into genetic and regenerative medicines, including AAV-based gene therapy through the Audentes acquisition.
By 2023, filing activity was increasingly aligned with newer focus areas, particularly Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) and Immuno-Oncology, supported by collaborations such as the company’s TPD partnership with Cullgen. The broader direction is a move from primarily drug-focused IP protection toward platform-based innovation and next-generation approaches to difficult disease targets.
How Many Patents did Astellas Pharma File in Different Countries?
Global reach is broad, but innovation remains concentrated
Geographically, Astellas combines broad market coverage with a concentrated research base. The United States leads filing activity with 468 patents, followed by Japan with 434 and Europe (EPO) with 402. The next chart highlights the ten largest filing jurisdictions.
Countries in which Astellas Pharma Filed Patents
The full country table extends the picture beyond the top ten, showing how Astellas has built protection across established pharmaceutical markets and a long tail of additional jurisdictions.
| Country | Patent |
| United States of America | 468 |
| Japan | 434 |
| Europe (EPO) | 402 |
| China | 294 |
| Korea (South) | 293 |
| Brazil | 266 |
| Mexico | 252 |
| Australia | 245 |
| Canada | 238 |
| Hong Kong (S.A.R.) | 236 |
| Israel | 203 |
| Taiwan | 177 |
| India | 166 |
| Germany | 164 |
| Singapore | 158 |
| Austria | 154 |
| Spain | 153 |
| Philippines | 139 |
| Italy | 136 |
| Russia | 133 |
| Poland | 132 |
| Turkey | 127 |
| Portugal | 126 |
| Indonesia | 120 |
| South Africa | 119 |
| Cyprus | 94 |
| Eurasia | 92 |
| Hungary | 85 |
| Malaysia | 83 |
| Denmark | 83 |
| New Zealand | 82 |
| Argentina | 81 |
| Viet Nam | 77 |
| Slovenia | 75 |
| Croatia | 72 |
| Malta | 69 |
| Lithuania | 67 |
| Colombia | 67 |
| Serbia | 65 |
| Albania | 57 |
| Ukraine | 56 |
| Norway | 54 |
| Thailand | 47 |
| Slovakia | 46 |
| Jordan | 39 |
| Estonia | 39 |
| Saudi Arabia | 33 |
| Chile | 29 |
| Montenegro | 14 |
| Finland | 13 |
| Algeria | 12 |
| Dominican Republic | 11 |
| Costa Rica | 10 |
| Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia | 9 |
| United Kingdom | 9 |
| Panama | 9 |
| Ecuador | 8 |
| Peru | 8 |
| Macao | 8 |
| Uzbekistan | 7 |
| Luxembourg | 6 |
| Africa | 6 |
| Morocco | 6 |
| Netherlands | 5 |
| Lebanon | 4 |
| San Marino | 4 |
| Georgia | 3 |
| Republic of Moldova | 3 |
| Belgium | 3 |
| Mongolia | 2 |
| Gulf Cooperation Council | 2 |
| Kenya | 1 |
| Tunisia | 1 |
| Egypt | 1 |
Track Every Patent Move in Real Time Across 70+ Jurisdictions with Elixir
Where are Research Centres of Astellas Pharma Patents Located?
The research-centre view is more concentrated than the filing footprint. Japan ranks first with 323 patents linked to R&D centres, followed by the United States with 196. This helps explain why Japan remains both Astellas’ country of origin and the principal centre of its research activity, even as protection is pursued globally.
10 Best Astellas Pharma Patents
WO2018143315A1 is the most popular patent in the Apple portfolio. It has received 279 citations so far from companies like Mirati Therapeutics, Revolution Medicines Inc and Novartis.
Below is the list of 10 most cited patents of Astellas Pharm:
| Publication Number | Citation Count |
| WO2018143315A1 | 279 |
| WO2017059095A1 | 166 |
| WO2021193897A1 | 96 |
| WO2016166122A1 | 91 |
| WO2016165762A1 | 84 |
| WO2017079195A1 | 71 |
| WO2022173032A1 | 64 |
| WO2018110555A1 | 64 |
| WO2017209053A1 | 61 |
| CN107667118A | 60 |
What Percentage of Astellas Pharma US Patent Applications Were Granted?
Astellas Pharma (Excluding its subsidiaries) has filed 1062 patent applications at USPTO so far (Excluding Design and PCT applications). Out of these 642 have been granted leading to a grant rate of 66.88%
Below are the key stats of Astellas Pharma patent prosecution at the USPTO.
Which Law Firms are managing US Patents for Astellas Pharma?
| Law Firm | Total Applications | Success Rate |
| Oblon Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt | 345 | 71.01% |
| Sughrue Mion | 156 | 85.96% |
| Finnegan Henderson Farabow | 96 | 77.00% |
| Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton Llp | 77 | 56.60% |
| Foley & Lardner Llp | 53 | 87.18% |
| Neal Gerber & Eisenberg | 49 | 90.91% |
| Venable Llp | 46 | 60.47% |
| Banner & Witcoff Ltd | 22 | 20.00% |
| Mccarter & English Llp Boston | 20 | 78.57% |
| Burgess Ryan & Wayne | 18 | 100.00% |
Portfolio value becomes visible at the product level
The global patent estate ultimately supports a commercial drug portfolio. To connect IP scale with business exposure, the next analysis focuses on FDA-approved products represented in the U.S. Orange Book, their estimated 2025 revenue, and their listed patent and exclusivity timelines.
High-value products by estimated 2025 revenue
XTANDI is the clear revenue leader in this analysis at an estimated $6.00 billion for 2025. ASTAGRAF XL, MYRBETRIQ and PROGRAF form the next tier, while LEXISCAN, CRESEMBA, AMBISOME, IZERVAY, XOSPATA and VEOZAH broaden the portfolio’s commercial base.
| Drug | Estimated 2025 Revenue |
| XTANDI | $6.00B |
| ASTAGRAF XL | $1.39B |
| MYRBETRIQ | $1.22B |
| PROGRAF | $1.02B |
| LEXISCAN | $799M |
| CRESEMBA | $693M |
| AMBISOME | $508M |
| IZERVAY | $510M |
| XOSPATA | $470M |
| VEOZAH | $300M |
Note: Revenue figures are estimated 2025 values used for portfolio analysis.
Patent and exclusivity timelines define the exposure
Revenue alone does not establish competitive risk. The central question is how long each product remains protected from generic or other competitive entry. The Orange Book view below brings together NDA numbers, the latest listed patent expiry dates, regulatory exclusivity end dates and exclusivity codes.
The timing varies sharply across products. XTANDI’s table entry combines a May 15, 2026 patent expiry with exclusivity through November 17, 2026. LEXISCAN shows a February 2, 2027 patent expiry, while MYRBETRIQ, XOSPATA and VEOZAH extend further into the next decade. CRESEMBA has multiple exclusivity entries, illustrating why a single product can require event-by-event review rather than reliance on one headline date.
| Drug | NDA Number | Latest Orange Book Patent Expiry | Exclusivity End Date | Exclusivity Code |
| XTANDI | 203415 | 213674 | May 15, 2026 | Nov 17, 2026 | I-926 |
| MYRBETRIQ | 213801 | Mar 31, 2036 | – | – |
| PROGRAF | 50708 | 50709 | 210115 | – | Jul 16, 2028 | ODE-360 |
| LEXISCAN | 22161 | Feb 2, 2027 | – | – |
| CRESEMBA | 207501 | 207500 | Oct 31, 2025 | Dec 8, 2026 | NPP |
| CRESEMBA | 207501 | 207500 | Oct 31, 2025 | Mar 6, 2022 | ODE-305 |
| CRESEMBA | 207501 | 207500 | Oct 31, 2025 | Dec 8, 2030 | ODE-454 |
| CRESEMBA | 207501 | 207500 | Oct 31, 2025 | Dec 8, 2030 | ODE-458 |
| CRESEMBA | 207501 | 207500 | Oct 31, 2025 | Mar 6, 2022 | ODE-90 |
| CRESEMBA | 207501 | 207500 | Oct 31, 2025 | Mar 6, 2022 | ODE* |
| CRESEMBA | 207501 | 207500 | Oct 31, 2025 | Dec 8, 2030 | ODE-453 |
| CRESEMBA | 207501 | 207500 | Oct 31, 2025 | Dec 8, 2030 | ODE-459 |
| CRESEMBA | 207501 | 207500 | Oct 31, 2025 | Sep 6, 2022 | PED |
| CRESEMBA | 207501 | 207500 | Oct 31, 2025 | Jun 8, 2031 | PED |
| CRESEMBA | 207501 | 207500 | Oct 31, 2025 | Jun 8, 2027 | PED |
| CRESEMBA | 207501 | 207500 | Oct 31, 2025 | Sep 6, 2027 | GAIN |
| IZERVAY | 217225 | Nov 11, 2026 | – | – |
| XOSPATA | 211349 | Jul 28, 2030 | – | – |
| VEOZAH | 216578 | Apr 4, 2031 | May 12, 2028 | NCE |
Litigation shows where commercial pressure is already active
The expiry outlook becomes more concrete when viewed alongside enforcement. Recent U.S. cases show Astellas defending commercially significant products against generic manufacturers that filed Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs). The table retains the identified cases, asserted patents and current status.
| Filed Date | Defendant | Product / ANDA | Patents Asserted | Status |
| Jul. 30, 2026 | Macleods Pharmaceuticals | XTANDI® / Enzalutamide tablets – ANDA 221507 | US11839689B2, US12161628B2, US12502357B2, US12447128B2 | Open |
| Apr. 17, 2026 | Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories | Enzalutamide 40 mg & 80 mg tablets – ANDA 221187 | US11839689B2, US12161628B2, US12502357B2, US12447128B2 | Open |
| Jul. 16, 2026 | Somerset Therapeutics / Odin Pharmaceuticals | Isavuconazonium sulfate capsules – ANDA 221483 | US10206879B2, US10603280B2 | Open |
| Sep. 24, 2024 | Lupin | Astellas product – ANDA-related | US7342117, US7982049, US8835474B2, USRE44872, US10842780B2, US11707451B2 | Open |
| Sep. 24, 2024 | Zydus | Astellas product – ANDA-related | US7342117, US7982049, US8835474B2, USRE44872, US10842780B2, US11707451B2 | Open |
XTANDI is at the centre of the recent disputes
The most recent litigation is concentrated around enzalutamide (XTANDI). Astellas filed separate infringement cases against Macleods Pharmaceuticals and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories in 2026; both concern ANDA filings for enzalutamide tablets and assert the same four patents.
A separate 2026 case involving isavuconazonium sulfate capsules (CRESEMBA) shows Astellas defending another key product against potential generic entry. The 2024 cases against Lupin and Zydus add to the pattern. Together, the matters show that ANDA-driven competition remains an important part of Astellas’ patent strategy, particularly around commercially significant products.
The less visible risk sits in legal-status events
Litigation is highly visible, but it is not the only way protection can change. The analysis identified more than 1,000 Astellas patent records that became inactive through procedural events, including non-payment of maintenance fees and failure to respond to Office Actions.
Not every lapse indicates weak portfolio management. A company may deliberately stop maintaining a patent when the technology is no longer strategically or commercially important, or when the cost is no longer justified. The challenge is to distinguish intentional pruning from an important legal-status change that requires attention.
From isolated events to actionable intelligence
Expected expiry dates therefore provide only part of the picture. A patent scheduled to expire years later can become inactive earlier through a maintenance-fee event, abandonment or another change in legal status. For a portfolio of this size, teams need timely visibility when a patent or application has:
- missed a maintenance-fee payment;
- received an Office Action;
- missed a prosecution deadline;
- been abandoned or allowed to lapse;
- received a new legal-status update; or
- changed in a way that could affect a drug or technology’s protection.
The monitoring challenge grows when these events span multiple countries and must be linked back to specific drugs, products, competitors and patent families. That connection is what turns a status update into a business-relevant signal.
Conclusion: managing the portfolio as a connected system
Astellas’ patent position is best understood as one connected system rather than a set of separate statistics. Filing trends show the evolution of R&D priorities; geographic and citation data reveal reach and influence; U.S. prosecution data measures conversion into granted rights; Orange Book timelines expose product-level pressure; litigation shows where that pressure has become active; and lapse or abandonment events can alter protection before an expected expiry date.
Elixir brings patent and drug-related activity into a central monitoring environment, helping teams track new filings, competitors and legal-status changes without manually checking multiple databases. The objective is to identify important changes earlier, reduce the risk of missed events, and connect portfolio developments to the drugs and technologies they affect.
What are Astellas Pharma key innovation segments?
What Technologies are Covered by Astellas Pharma?
The chart below distributes patents filed by Astellas Pharma