News Releases
Conclusion of Co-marketing Agreement for an Anti-Depressant, Escitalopram in Japan
Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation
(Tokyo, January 7, 2010) 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. Escitalopram 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-market 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 development 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 that the co-marketing capitalizing their strengths will maximize the product value 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