Astellas Oncology C3 Prize

What Astellas Oncology C3 Prize does

The Astellas Oncology C3 Prize (Changing Cancer Care Together) is a grant program established in 2016 by Astellas Pharma Inc. to support innovative, non-medicine solutions that improve the cancer care experience for patients, caregivers, and providers. It operates as a sub-brand under Astellas Pharma Inc., a publicly traded Japanese pharmaceutical company headquartered operationally in Northbrook, Illinois, and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TYO:4503). The C3 Prize specifically funds external entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators tackling cancer-care challenges outside the core pharmaceutical R&D remit, providing capital, visibility, and access to Astellas' oncology network.

Astellas Pharma's broader parent portfolio encompasses oncology (Xtandi/enzalutamide for prostate cancer, Padcev/enfortumab vedotin for urothelial cancer, Vyloy/zolbetuximab for gastric cancer, Xospata/gilteritinib for AML), transplantation immunology (Prograf, Advagraf XL, Modigraf, Astagraf XL — tacrolimus franchises), urology (Betmiga, Vesicare, Flomaxtra, Vesomni for overactive bladder and BPH), ophthalmology (Izervay/avacincaptad pegol for geographic atrophy), nephrology (Evrenzo/roxadustat for CKD-related anemia), infectious disease (AmBisome, Cresemba, Mycamine), cardiology (Lexiscan), and women's health (Veoza/fezolinetant for vasomotor symptoms). R&D primary focuses include Immuno-Oncology, Genetic Regulation, Targeted Protein Degradation, and Blindness and Regeneration, supported by open-innovation labs (SakuLab-Tsukuba, SakuLab-Cambridge, TME iLab) and digital health accelerators (Rx+ Business Accelerator, HealthX).

Astellas Pharma generates revenue through prescription-medicine sales distributed via regulated pharmaceutical channels — licensed pharmacies, hospitals, and healthcare providers — across more than 19 named countries spanning North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East. Pricing is country- and market-specific and not publicly disclosed. The C3 Prize itself is a sponsor-funded grant initiative within this commercial framework, with no disclosed standalone revenue, pricing, or contract structure; its economics consist of grant disbursements drawn from the parent's marketing, CSR, or innovation budget.

Name

Astellas Oncology C3 Prize

Legal name

Astellas Pharma Inc.

Website

https://astellasoncology.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Astellas Oncology C3 Prize is a grant program by Astellas Pharma Inc. funding non-medicine innovations that improve cancer care, operating as a sub-brand of the global TYO:4503 pharmaceutical company.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Oncology Innovation Grants

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Oncology & Hematology Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Oncology Pathways & Precision Medicine Decision Support (HLACAGAH), Hospital-Integrated Cancer Centers (Acute Oncology Programs) (HLAFAAAM)

Keywords

• Oncology grant program
• Cancer care innovation
• Oncology research funding
• Pharmaceutical therapeutics
• Healthcare innovation awards

Headquarters

HQ city

Northbrook

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations

Distribution channels1 record

Core offering

The Astellas Oncology C3 Prize (Changing Cancer Care Together) is a grant program established by Astellas Pharma Inc. to support innovative solutions improving cancer care for patients. It awards grants to innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs developing novel approaches that address the non-medical challenges faced by cancer patients. Operated as part of Astellas Pharma Inc.'s oncology franchise, it complements the company's broader pharmaceutical portfolio spanning oncology, transplantation, urology, ophthalmology, infectious disease, nephrology, and women's health.

Product overview

Astellas is a global pharmaceutical company that develops and markets a diverse portfolio of prescription medicines across multiple therapeutic areas. The company's products span oncology (including Vyloy, Xospata, Padcev, and Xtandi for various cancers), transplantation immunology (Prograf, Advagraf XL, Modigraf, Astagraf XL for immunosuppression), urology (Betmiga, Vesicare, Flomaxtra, Vesomni for overactive bladder and BPH), ophthalmology (Izervay, Myrbetriq), infectious disease (AmBisome, Cresemba, Mycamine), nephrology (Evrenzo), cardiology (Lexiscan), and women's health (Veoza). Products are available in various formulations including tablets, capsules, injections, and oral suspensions, with availability varying by geographic region. The company maintains a medicines availability transparency portal showing regulated product information across numerous countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Astellas Oncology C3 Prize: Changing Cancer Care Together (C3) Prize - an Astellas initiative to support innovative solutions improving cancer care for patients

Products and services

• Astellas Oncology C3 Prize (Changing Cancer Care Together) A grant program that funds and supports innovators, entrepreneurs, and researchers developing novel non-pharmaceutical solutions that address challenges in the cancer care journey, such as patient navigation, care coordination, and quality of life improvements.
• Xtandi (enzalutamide) Androgen receptor inhibitor for the treatment of prostate cancer, available as soft capsules and film-coated tablets.
• Padcev (enfortumab vedotin) Antibody-drug conjugate for the treatment of urothelial cancer, available as powder for concentrate for solution for infusion.
• Xospata (gilteritinib fumarate) Tyrosine kinase inhibitor for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), available as film-coated tablets.
• Vyloy (zolbetuximab) Monoclonal antibody for the treatment of gastric cancer, available as powder for concentrate for solution for infusion.

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Bristol Myers Squibb: Large oncology-focused pharma with overlapping hematology, immuno-oncology and solid-tumor franchises; relevant peer for Astellas' oncology and transplantation-related immunology work.
• Novartis: Swiss multinational with strong oncology, immunology and cardiovascular/neurology portfolios; competes with Astellas in specialty therapeutics and shares the reimbursement/pricing dynamics in major markets.
• Pfizer: Global pharmaceutical major with a broad oncology portfolio spanning ADCs, kinase inhibitors and biologics; competes with Astellas in prostate, breast and hematology indications.
• AstraZeneca: Global pharma with a deep oncology pipeline across ADCs, PARP inhibitors and bispecifics; competes with Astellas in multiple tumor types and shares the European/US commercial footprint.
• Takeda Pharmaceutical: Largest Japanese peer and fellow Tokyo-listed pharma; shares Japan-domicile macro/dynamic exposure and competes globally in oncology, GI and rare diseases.
• Roche: Oncology and diagnostics major with HER2, hematology and immuno-oncology franchises; overlaps with Astellas' oncology pipeline breadth and shares the European commercial environment.
• Daiichi Sankyo: Japanese oncology-led pharma and a key ADC peer; competes directly with Padcev via Enhertu and other ADC programs overlapping Astellas' solid-tumor strategy.
• Merck & Co. Keytruda-driven oncology leader that shapes the competitive landscape across nearly all Astellas' oncology tumor types through combination therapy positioning.
• Sanofi: Global pharma with oncology, immunology and rare-disease franchises; comparable scale, distribution footprint and exposure to European pricing pressure.
• Johnson & Johnson (Innovative Medicine): Diversified pharma with sizable oncology, immunology and ophthalmology franchises; comparable to Astellas in therapeutic-area breadth and global commercial scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/astellas
• Xx.com/AstellasUS

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Astellas Oncology C3 Prize