Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has signed an eight-year application outsourcing agreement with Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE:4503, "Astellas"). As part of the contract, Accenture will deliver application development and maintenance services to the leading pharmaceutical company, which researches, develops and manufactures prescription drugs.

Accenture will help modernize and standardize Astellas' core business systems, such as accounting, production management, purchasing and supply chain management in its Japan, North America and European regions. Accenture will leverage its Global Delivery Network locations in India, China and Brazil to support the engagement.

Astellas' objective for the engagement is to prepare a foundation for accelerated globalization of its business. The company plans to do so by working with Accenture to standardize its global information technology (IT) operations. This will help Astellas improve both the efficiency and effectiveness of its IT function and increase its focus on driving innovation into its global business model to improve competitive positioning.

"Astellas is a leader in driving globalization and serves as a model for many large Japanese multinational companies trying to globalize their operations in the marketplace," said Todor Radmilovich, Accenture managing director based in Japan. "Accenture is proud to assist Astellas in its efforts by utilizing our deep industry knowledge and skills, globally industrialized IT processes and assets, and passion for driving change and improvements. We look forward to working with Astellas on an exciting transformation journey and helping the company achieve its globalization goals."

Learn more about Accenture's Life Sciences practice.

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with 261,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world's most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. The company generated net revenues of US $27.9 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2012. Its home page is www.accenture.com.

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