Tokyo, Japan, Apr 17, 2006 - (JCN Newswire) - Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. (TSE: 4506) and Eisai Co., Ltd. (TSE: 4523) today announced that the companies have signed a licensing agreement regarding “Gasmotin” (generic name: mosapride citrate), a gastroprokinetic agent, for countries including ASEAN members such as Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines on April 14, 2006.
Tokyo, Japan, Apr 17, 2006 - (JCN Newswire) - Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. (TSE: 4506) and Eisai Co., Ltd. (TSE: 4523) today announced that the companies have signed a licensing agreement regarding “Gasmotin” (generic name: mosapride citrate), a gastroprokinetic agent, for countries including ASEAN members such as Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines on April 14, 2006.
Under this agreement, Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma will grant rights of development, manufacture and marketing of “Gasmotin” in 10 Asian countries including ASEAN members to Eisai. Thus Eisai will be responsible for the development of “Gasmotin” involving new drug applications in these countries.
Gasmotin is a gastroprokinetic agent whose indications are “gastrointestinal symptoms associated with chronic gastritis (heartburn, nausea/vomiting).” in Japan. The drug is a selective serotonin 5-HT4 receptor agonist which stimulates 5-HT4 receptors in nerve plexuses in the gastrointestinal tract and has gastroprokinetic and gastric evacuant effects by enhancing acetylcholine release.
Eisai is actively concentrating on market development activities in Asia including China, India and ASEAN countries. In addition to the sales promotion of such its own products such as the globally marketed “Aricept”, a drug for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, and “Pariet”, a proton pump inhibitor, Eisai is proactively undertaking promotional activities of other companies’ products. In particular, Eisai has a solid basis for product marketing in the gastroenterology area achieved by “Pariet” and “Selbex”, a gastritis/gastric ulcer treatment. Eisai expects that the addition of “Gasmotin” to its product lineup will bring greater synergy and allow it to make further contributions to greater numbers of patients in ASEAN countries. Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma is also looking forward to contributions to global healthcare as the result of obtaining an approval for “Gasmotin” to place it on the market in ASEAN countries in addition to Japan, China and Korea where the product has already been launched.
With the agreement announced today, Eisai will aim for the marketing of “Gasmotin” in ASEAN countries as early as possible. Eisai will also achieve an enhanced presence in Asia and make contributions to patients in collaboration with Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma.
About Eisai Co., Ltd.
Eisai Co., Ltd. (TSE: 4523)(OTC: ESALY) is a research-based human health care company that discovers, develops and markets products in more than 30 countries. Through a global network of research facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, Eisai actively participates in all aspects of the worldwide health care system. Eisai employs more than 8,000 people worldwide. For more information, please visit http://www.eisai.co.jp.
About Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma
Dainippon Pharmaceutical and Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals merged on October 1, 2005, to create Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma (TSE: 4506), a new corporation committed to serving the social good through research and development programs designed to empower people to lead fuller, healthier lives. Among the capabilities being deployed to create new value for shareholders and customers alike are research and development programs that excel in sophistication and creativity, quality and production systems that ensure the enduring trust of our customers, some of Japan’s most developed sales and marketing resources, and an unmatched ability to provide reliable data to medical decision-makers. For more information, please visit www.ds-pharma.co.jp.
Contact: Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. Public Relations Department TEL: 81-6-6203-1407
Eisai Co., Ltd. Corporate Communications Department TEL: 81-3-3817-5120
