Astex Pharmaceuticals Earns $5 Million for First Commercial Sale of DACOGEN(R) in the European Union

10/9/2012 6:00 AM EST

Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Press release

Astex Pharmaceuticals Earns $5 Million for First Commercial Sale of DACOGEN(R)
in the European Union

DUBLIN, Calif., 2012-10-09 12:00 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Astex
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASTX), a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the
discovery and development of novel small molecule therapeutics, announced that
a $5 million dollar milestone was earned from Eisai Inc., for the first
commercial sale of DACOGEN® in the European Union. 

Dr. James S.J. Manuso, Astex chairman and chief executive officer, commented,
"DACOGEN will continue to help patients around the world in the years ahead,
and royalties on its sales will contribute to the funding of our prioritized
development programs." 

Janssen-Cilag International NV and its affiliates hold marketing and
development rights for DACOGEN in all markets except the United States, Canada
and Mexico, where rights are maintained by their strategic partner, Eisai Inc.
and its affiliates. These marketing rights flow from a worldwide license from
Astex Pharmaceuticals to Eisai Inc. Astex receives royalties from Eisai Inc. on
the global sales of DACOGEN for any indication starting at 20% and escalating
to a maximum of 30%. In accordance with Astex's license agreement with Eisai,
Astex may receive up to $12.5 million in future payments if additional
milestones are achieved for DACOGEN globally. 

About DACOGEN (decitabine)

DACOGEN is a DNA hypomethylating agent currently approved for the treatment of
myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in more than 35 countries worldwide including
key markets such as the United States, Brazil, China, India, Korea, Russia and
Turkey. 

On September 28, 2012 Janssen-Cilag International NV announced that the
European Commission (EC) had granted marketing authorization for DACOGEN
(decitabine) for the treatment of adult patients (age 65 years and above) with
newly diagnosed de novo or secondary acute myeloid leukemia (AML), according to
the World Health Organization (WHO) classification, who are not candidates for
standard induction chemotherapy.[i] The Orphan Drug designation for AML was
also maintained by the Committee of Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP). 

About Astex Pharmaceuticals

Astex Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to the discovery and development of novel
small molecule therapeutics with a focus on oncology. The Company is developing
a proprietary pipeline of novel therapies and is creating de-risked products
for partnership with leading pharmaceutical companies. Astex Pharmaceuticals
co-developed DACOGEN® (decitabine) for Injection and receives significant
royalties on global sales from Eisai in North America and from Janssen-Cilag in
the rest of the world. 

For more information about Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., please visit
http://www.astx.com. 

The Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=12273 

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The reader is cautioned not
to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on
current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove
inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could
vary materially from the expectations and projections of Astex Pharmaceuticals
and its marketing partners. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not
limited to, general industry conditions and competition; technological
advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent
in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approvals;
challenges to patents; changes in behavior and spending patterns or financial
distress of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to
governmental laws and regulations and domestic and foreign health care reforms;
trends toward health care cost containment; and increased scrutiny of the
health care industry by government agencies. A further list and description of
these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in the Astex
Pharmaceuticals Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2011. Copies of this Form 10-K, as well as subsequent filings, are
available online at www.sec.gov, www.astx.com or on request from Astex
Pharmaceuticals. Astex Pharmaceuticals is not required to update any
forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or
developments. 



[i] DACOGEN® SPC, approved 20.09.2012. The approved SPC is due to be published
on the EC Community Register of medicinal products:
http://ec.europa.eu/health/documents/community-register/html/newproc.htm#h. 


         CONTACT: Timothy L. Enns
         Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
         Senior Vice President
         Corporate Communications & Marketing
         Tel:  +1 (925) 560-2810
         E-mail:   
         
         Alan Roemer
         The Trout Group
         Managing Director
         Tel:  +1 (646) 378-2945
         E-mail:  
         
         Susanna Chau
         Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
         Manager
         Investor Relations
         Tel:  +1 (925) 560-2845
         E-mail:   
         
         Kari Watson
         MacDougall Biomedical Communications
         Senior Vice President
         Tel: +1 (781) 235-3060
         E-mail: