Astellas retains place in FTSE4Good sustainability index

Astellas has announced that it has once again been included in the FTSE4Good Index, one of the world's premier indices for socially responsible investment.

Managed by the FTSE Group, the index is compiled following analysis of 2,400 companies in 23 countries, and is used by investors around the world to assess best practices and social responsibility criteria to inform their strategies.

This represents the third year in which Astellas has been included in the list, which currently consists of 780 companies from around the world. It scored highly according to the 14 environmental, social and governance-related criteria used to compile the index.

The FTSE4Good Index is considered alongside the Dow Jones Sustainability Index as the most recognised sustainability indices worldwide. Astellas was also recently listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for Asia Pacific for the fourth consecutive year.

A company statement said: "Astellas is committed to striving toward sustainable enhancement of enterprise value, while remaining acutely aware of our social responsibilities."

Based in Tokyo, the firm was founded in 1923 and currently employs almost 18,000 people worldwide.