Teijin and Astellas Conclude Distribution Agreement for New Gout and Hyperuricemia Drug in Southeast Asia and India
August 11, 2011 - Teijin Pharma Limited and Astellas Pharma Inc. announced that they have entered into an exclusive distribution agreement for febuxostat (generic name, development code: TMX-67), a novel drug for the treatment of gout and hyperuricemia, in Southeast Asia and India.
Under the agreement, Astellas Pharma will have exclusive
rights to sell the product in Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia,
Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and India. Astellas Pharma will apply
for marketing approval in each of these countries, with the goal of
beginning sales by 2015. Astellas Pharma already has its own sales
affiliates in Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and India
and in Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam provides its own products
through partners. Astellas expects to further expand the
business in Asian territories by in-licensing febuxostat.
This new agreement adds to the existing licensing deals
between Teijin Pharma and Astellas Pharma covering Taiwan, China
and Hong Kong through its subsidiaries. Astellas Pharma Taiwan,
Inc. has already obtained marketing approval, while Astellas Pharma
China, Inc. and Astellas Pharma Hong Kong Co., Ltd. are currently
in the process of development and registration in their respective
markets.
Febuxostat is the world's first non-purine selective inhibitor
of xanthine oxidase, discovered by Teijin Pharma in 1991. It
has a novel chemical structure completely different from that of
allopurinol, which has been used for over 40 years as the standard
treatment for hyperuricemia and gout. Febuxostat effectively
reduces the level of uric acid in the blood of hyperuricemic
patients to the recommended level, and is well tolerated without
need for dose adjustment in patients suffering from mild to
moderate renal impairment.
Teijin Pharma has entered into collaboration on febuxostat in
a total of 91 countries, including the above seven countries, to
offer new alternative to patients worldwide. The drug is already
being sold in 13 countries including the U.S., Canada, Japan, Korea
and 9 European countries. Teijin Pharma has positioned the drug as
a globally strategic product and expects to achieve annual sales of
over 100 billion yen in the foreseeable future.
Both companies look forward to contributing towards raising
the quality of life in patients in the territories by offering
febuxostat as a new option in the treatment of gout and
hyperuricemia.
Posted: August 2011
