The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has announced a new partnership with pharmaceutical company Astellas Pharma out of Japan. The collaboration is aimed at preventing the misuse and abuse of medicines for doping purposes in the sporting realm.
WADA states that Astellas will help identify compounds it produces, including those in development, that possess a potential for sport-related doping. Astellas will also share knowledge to aid WADA in the generation of detection methods for such compounds. The collaboration will also entail the company minimizing risks of the misuse of compounds with doping potential during its clinical trials.
“WADA is encouraged to be partnering with Astellas on the prevention of misuse and abuse of medicines for doping in sports,” said Sir Craig Reedie, President, WADA. “It’s a win-win arrangement. Essentially, Astellas will inform WADA during compound development if there is potential for future abuse in sport; and, the Agency commits to inform Astellas should it uncover evidence of black market supply involving their compounds. This partnership acknowledges that the impacts of doping extend well beyond elite athletes to include society on the whole.”
“Astellas is committed to ensuring the safe and effective use of its therapies in appropriate settings, and we are proud to be the first Japan-based company to partner with WADA in its efforts to prevent the inappropriate use of medical products through doping,” said Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., Chief Strategy Officer, Astellas. “Enhancing performance in sports through doping is considered a serious public health issue by the sport movement and public authorities worldwide. It is critical that pharmaceutical companies play a role in helping to address this important public health concern.”
You can read WADA‘s statement on the partnership directly on its website here.
