News Releases
Conclusion of Distributorship Agreement Concerning Switch-OTC Drug for Hyperlipidemia Treatment, Epadel
Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
(Tokyo, April 30, 2009) - Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head office: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Naoyuki Mochida; “Mochida Pharmaceutical”) and Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head office: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Akira Uehara; “Taisho Pharmaceutical”) have announced the conclusion of a distributorship agreement concerning a future switch-OTC drug for Epadel (Generic name: ethyl icosapentate; “EPA-E”). Epadel is a prescription drug treatment for hyperlipidemia and arteriosclerosis obliterans that is manufactured and sold by Mochida Pharmaceutical. Mochida Pharmaceutical will work to quickly obtain the necessary marketing approval for a switch-OTC drug for Epadel.
Epadel is the world’s first high-purity EPA-E preparation developed into a prescription drug by Mochida Pharmaceutical. The active ingredient, EPA-E, is supplied by Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd., which has sophisticated purification technology and volume production capabilities. Epadel is indicated for hyperlipidemia as well as the alleviation of ulcers, pain and chills accompanying arteriosclerosis obliterans. Since its launch in 1990, Epadel has established a proven record of safety and efficacy through its use by numerous patients.
Mochida Pharmaceutical, as a leader in EPA-E preparations, seeks to provide a new self-medication option for users by answering demands for an Epadel-based switch-OTC drug, while continuing to offer Epadel as a prescription drug treatment.
Taisho Pharmaceutical will draw on its extensive sales experience and marketing capabilities in OTC drugs to sell the Epadel-based switch-OTC drug to a broad spectrum of consumers, with a view to contributing to the advancement of the self-medication field.