drugset / Press release

Conclusion of Co-marketing Agreement for an Anti-Depressant, Escitalopram in Japan

2010-01-07 · Tanabe Pharma Corporation · original tanabe-pharma.com ↗

January 7, 2010 Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation Conclusion of Co-marketing Agreement for an Anti-Depressant, Escitalopram in Japan Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head office: Tokyo, Japan, President: Naoyuki Mochida) and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (Head office: Osaka, Japan, President & CEO: Michihiro Tsuchiya) today announced that the two companies have signed an agreement to co-market a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), escitalopram, in Japan. Escitalo pram as codenamed MLD-55 is currently developed by Mochida in Japan. Following a manufacturing and sales approval for the product by Mochida, the both companies will co-m arket the product in Japan under the agreement. Escitalopram is an SSRI originated by H. Lundbeck A/S (Head office: Copenhagen, Denmark, CEO: Ulf Wiinberg), and is available in more than 90 countries since it was launched as Cipralex® in European countries and Lexapro® in the United States in 2002. In Japan, Mochida started the deve lopment of escitalopram in 2002. Aiming at the application for the approval in FY2010, Mochida is conducting the Phase III clinical trials. The number of patients with depression is increasing every year in Japan, and is estimated to exceed one million at present. Escitalopram has been extremely well-received by the patients and doctors for the treatment of depression in many countries, and is expected to offer a new treatment option for depression in Japan. Mochida and Mitsubishi Tanabe believe th at the co-marketing capitalizing their strengths will maximize the product valu e and contribute to the treatment for depression in Japan. This agreement will have only minor impact on the business performance of the both companies for the current fiscal year. Contacts for inquiries: Public Relations, Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Tel. +81-3-3225-6303 Fax. +81-3-3225-6315 Corporate Communications Dept., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation Tel. +81-6-6205-5211 Fax. +81-06-6205-5105

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