Astellas Pharma has decided to close Urogenix, an Astellas subsidiary and Durham, N.C.-based research facility focusing on drug discovery in the field of urology.

In March 2006, Astellas acquired this research facility from Dynogen Pharmaceuticals. Since then, Urogenix has evaluated the clinical potential of urological development candidates especially in the area of lower urinary tract disorders. Urology continues to be one of Astellas' five focus therapeutic areas and upon this decision, Astellas will transfer research functions at Urogenix to Astellas' Tsukuba Research Center in Japan.

Urogenix currently employees 13 scientists and staff. The decision to transfer urology research activities to Japan will strengthen the company's commitment to optimizing its research and development resource allocation.

The closure will be completed by the end of December 2012.