Japan’s Astellas Pharma has sold off the patent estate and associated royalty stream relating to the use of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors for the treatment of type 2 diabetes held by its Prosidion subsidiary for US$609 M in cash. Astellas plans to invest the cash received from Royalty Pharma in strategic initiatives in its core therapeutic areas, which include urology, transplant-related medicines, infectious diseases and cancer.