The Canadian Society of Transplantation and Astellas Pharma Canada Announce the 2017 CST-Astellas T3 Competition

 - Three grants totaling $100,000 will be awarded to help bring new innovations to life -

TORONTO, July 12, 2017 /CNW/ - Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc. (Astellas) and the Canadian Society of Transplantation (CST) are pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural 2017 CST-Astellas T3 (Transformative Thinking in Transplant) Competition. The T3 Competition is designed to inspire innovative solutions in transplant care with the ultimate goal of advancing long-term health outcomes and quality of life for Canadian transplant patients. Through the competition, Astellas and the CST hope to identify and support delivery of plausible implementation solutions in the areas of patient care, education, adherence, organ donation, and quality of life improvement.

"Astellas Pharma Canada is proud to support the inaugural T3 Competition, recognizing that medication alone is not enough to support transplant recipients and their families," said Neil Sarin, director, Hospital Business Unit, Astellas. "As our company marks twenty years of innovation in immunosuppressive therapy, we want to turn the spotlight on the Canadian transplant community for all that they do to ensure Canada remains at the forefront of innovation in transplantation. We also want to recognize the contribution of the men and women who work in the field from the transplant surgeons and physicians, to the coordinators, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, dieticians and other healthcare professionals."

"The Canadian Society of Transplantation welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with Astellas in creating a forum for new thinking in transplantation. T3 is a dynamic departure from the clinical research we regularly support. It opens the door to innovative solutions focused on improving the patient and caregiver journey through the full, often complex experience of a transplant," said Dr. Atul Humar, president of the CST.

The competition is open to members in good standing of the Canadian Society of Transplantation who have novel ideas that will help support individuals on a waiting list for a new organ, live donors, transplant recipients, healthcare professionals, caregivers as well as other stakeholders.  Three grants including a grand prize of $50,000 and two finalist prizes of $25,000 each will be awarded to help bring these new innovations to life.

The finalists, as selected by a panel of transplant experts, will present their ideas at an event to be held during the 2017 CST-CTRMS Joint Scientific Meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The winners will be selected by the live audience.  For details on submissions and competition eligibility, please visit www.cst-transplant.ca

About The Canadian Society of Transplantation
The Canadian Society of Transplantation (CST) is the professional organization for physicians, surgeons, scientists and allied health professionals working in the field of transplantation with a mission to advance the practice and science of transplantation for the benefit of Canadians and society. The CST is dedicated to leading, advancing, and advocating for patient care, research, and education in donation and transplantation in Canada. For more information, please visit www.cst-transplant.ca

About Astellas Pharma Inc.
Astellas Pharma Inc., based in Tokyo, Japan, is a company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. We focus on Urology, Oncology, Immunology, Nephrology and Neuroscience as prioritized therapeutic areas while advancing new therapeutic areas and discovery research leveraging new technologies/modalities. We are also creating new value by combining internal capabilities and external expertise in the medical/healthcare business. Astellas is on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into value for patients. For more information, please visit our website at www.astellas.com/en

About Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc.
Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc., headquartered in Markham, ON, is a Canadian affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. Astellas is dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. In Canada, Astellas has an intense commercial focus in the following therapeutic areas – Urology, Immunology, Infectious Disease and Oncology. For more information about Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc., please visit the corporate website:  www.astellas.ca

SOURCE Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc.

Media Contact: James Thayer, energi PR, 416-425-9143 ext 208; Michelle Reale, Senior Communications Manager, Astellas Pharma Canada, 905-946-5621