Astellas is banging the drum for patient advocacy organizations (PAOs) again. One year after coordinating the first PAO Action Week, the Japanese drugmaker is gearing up for the second edition of an initiative designed to connect patients and caregivers with resources and support communities.
The project reflects a disconnect between the availability and actual uptake of support. There are more than 1,200 PAOs in the U.S., according to Astellas, yet many patients and caregivers are unaware of PAOs and the resources they provide.
Jeff Sears, head of strategy and operations at Astellas’ communications and investor relations division, highlighted his firsthand experience with that disconnect in the launch announcement this week, saying, "In witnessing my father-in-law's journey with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, I was struck by the lack of awareness around PAOs, even within my own healthcare-connected family.”
That realization fueled a push to help connect patients and caregivers with resources. Volunteer Astellas staff members are now coordinating the second PAO Action Week, which will run from June 9-13.
Astellas has partnered with life sciences companies, healthcare organizations, patient advocacy groups and other stakeholders for the initiative.
The pharma listed about 50 participating organizations when it kicked off the first PAO Action Week in 2024. The current list is slightly longer, including around 20 organizations that are returning for round two of the initiative. CSL Behring is among the organizations that were listed in 2024 but not in 2025, while the biotech Zymeworks is among the organizations coming aboard this year.
Anthony Yanni, head of patient centricity at Astellas, said in a statement that the organizers hope more healthcare companies will join the initiative to help broaden the reach of the campaign. With a few weeks left to go, organizations can still register to participate in the 2025 PAO Action Week.