Application Submitted in Japan for MP-424 a Novel Chronic Hepatitis C Treatment

January 28, 2011 Press Release Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation Application Submitted in Japan for MP-424 a Novel Chronic Hepatitis C Treatment Osaka, Japan, January 28, 2011--- Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (President & CEO: Michihiro Tsuchiya) announced today that the Company submitted an application for the manufacturing and marketing approval of MP-424 (generic name: telaprevir) for treatment of chronic hepatitis C on January 26, 2011. MP-424, an orally bioavailable product for treatment of chronic hepatitis C, was developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (head office: United States, President & CEO: Matthew W. Emmens), and acts dire ctly on NS3-4A serine protease thereby suppressing the replication of HCV (hepatitis C viruses). An estimated 1.5 to 2 million people is known to be infected with HCV in Japan. It is known that, if no proper treat ment is given while chronic hepatitis C progresses, it may lead to liver cirrhosis or cancer in 20 to 30 year s. Essentially, 70 to 80 % of liver cancer is caused by hepatitis C. Standard treatment for chronic hepatitis C in Japan involves a 48-weeks combination therapy of two drugs, peginterfe ron and ribavirin. Due to its lack of effectiveness, development of a new treatment regimen with greater efficacy for chronic hepatitis C is urgently needed. Results of clinical studies in Japan have shown that MP-424-based combination therapy with peginterferon plus ribavirin was mo re effective over a shorter treatment period than the currently available peginterferon and ribavirin therapy. Additionally, greater efficacy of this treatment was also confirmed in patients treated and who did not respond to peginterferon and ribavirin treatment or who ex perienced a recurrence of the disease. MP-424 is expected to become the new therapy for chronic hepatitis C. Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma will contribute to fulfilling the expectations of patients as well as medical professionals by developing and marketing pharmaceuticals that satisfy unmet medical needs, and contribute to the healthier lives of people around the world through the creation of pharmaceuticals. <Contact for Inquiries> Corporate Communications Department Phone: +81 6-6205-5211

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