Astellas Pharma
Solabegron was discovered by GlaxoSmithKline and acquired by AltheRx in March 2011. Solabegron relaxes the bladder smooth muscle by stimulating β3 adrenoceptors, a novel mechanism compared with older established drug treatments for overactive bladder syndrome such as the anticholinergic agents. Astellas Pharma has developed the first commercially available β3 adrenergic receptor, mirabegron, which is now licensed in Japan and the U.S. exclusively for treatment of overactive bladder syndrome.