Astellas Employees Walk 500 Million Steps to Reach Corporate Health Milestone

STAINES, England, September 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Employees at Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd. have given themselves a major summer health boost by walking more than 500 million steps - the equivalent of more than eight times around the equator - as part of the world's largest corporate health initiative, the Global Corporate Challenge (GCC).

Nearly 650 Astellas employees from across Europe have signed up to take part in the GCC, which runs to September 2011 - a 162% increase on 2010 participant numbers. Two Astellas offices in the UK are taking part. This year's cohort has already beaten the 323 million steps achieved by Astellas employees in 2010.

The GCC aims to combat health risks linked to the increasingly sedentary nature of the modern workforce. Each participant tries to take 10,000 steps per day which is a proven and recommended way to reduce overall risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes.^[1]

Arjen Vermazen, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd, said:

"At Astellas, we are committed to becoming the employer of choice in the pharmaceutical industry and a key part of this is helping our employees to make healthy lifestyle choices.  Initiatives such as the GCC combine fun, challenge and ease of taking part to create real health benefits - it is great to see so many people taking part."

GCC Chief Executive Officer, Glenn Riseley said: "We're delighted to welcome Astellas employees in this year's GCC. Not only have they demonstrated the level of importance that they attribute to their employee's health, but they are actively doing something about it."

The GCC complements other Astellas health and wellbeing employee programmes. In the UK, employees are  taking up the Cycle to Work scheme, and will be collecting GCC 'steps' when cycling to work over the summer.

In addition to helping its employees improve their health, Astellasis also sponsoring nearly 650primary school children to take part in the Global Children's Challenge as a direct result of their participation in the Corporate Challenge. In 2011, the Global Children's Challenge will help over 125,000 children get more active.

Reference

1. World Health Organisation

Notes to Editors

About Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd.:

Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd., located in the UK, is a European subsidiary 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 pharmaceuticals. The organisation is committed to becoming a global company by combining outstanding R&D and marketing capabilities and continuing to grow in the world pharmaceutical market. Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd. is responsible for 21 affiliate offices located across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, an R&D site and three manufacturing plants. The company employs approximately 4,000 staff across these regions. For more information about Astellas Pharma Europe, please visit http://www.astellas.eu.

Corporate social responsibility has been a core part of management practices since Astellas was formed in 2005, with an annual global CSR report produced to openly report on policies and achievements. Astellas' CSR strategy is based on five core areas: employees, society, the environment, the economy and compliance.

About GCC

For more information about the GCC, please visit http://www.gettheworldmoving.com.