Astellas Is Considering Selling Europe Assets to Raise Cash

Astellas Pharma Inc. is considering a sale of some central and eastern European assets as the Japanese drugmaker seeks to trim its portfolio and raise cash, according to people familiar with the matter.

Astellas is working with Jefferies Financial Group Inc. on the potential disposal, which includes Russian assets and has drawn interest from private equity firms and other pharmaceutical companies, the people said, asking not to be identified because the deliberations are private. The portfolio under review includes drugs to prevent infections and pain treatments, the people said.