Description If you want your biotech company to grow, you've got to shoot for the stars. Astellas Venture Management is the venture capital arm of Japan-based Astellas Pharma, formed from the 2005 merger of Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical and Fujisawa Pharmaceutical. The firm invests in privately owned early-stage biotech companies, usually those whose areas of focus are in line with the research and development activities of Astellas Pharma. Active since 1999, Astellas Venture manages four venture funds, and its portfolio includes about 20 companies in the US, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, and the UK, mainly drug discovery and development companies.