Astellas Pharmasaid the FDA has approved ASTAGRAF XL (tacrolimus extended-release capsules) for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in patients receiving a kidney transplant with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and corticosteroids, with or without basiliximab induction.

ASTAGRAF XL is the first once-daily oral tacrolimus formulation available in the U.S. for kidney transplant recipients. ASTAGRAF XL offers a potentially promising treatment option for appropriate kidney transplant recipients as a core component of an immunosuppressive regimen for the prophylaxis of organ rejection.

The two primary, randomized, comparative phase III clinical studies to support FDA approval enrolled 1,093 patients (545 on tacrolimus extended-release) in the U.S., Europe, Canada, South America, Australia and South Africa. Astellas was granted marketing approval for tacrolimus extended-release capsules under the trade name Advagraf in Europe in 2007 and under the trade name Graceptor in Japan in 2008. In total, tacrolimus extended-release capsules have been approved for use in 73 countries.