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March 24, 2006 |
Novartis Pharma K.K.
Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation |
AKP and NPKK Strengthen Voltaren* Promotion Collaboration
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Novartis Pharma K.K. (NPKK) and
Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation (AKP) announced today
that they are strengthening their collaboration
for the Voltaren (diclofenac sodium) family
of products. Voltaren is widely used in Japan
and belongs to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
class of drugs (NSAID).
The two companies have amended the co-promotion
arrangement they have been engaged in since June
2005, and beginning on April 1, 2006 NPKK will grant
AKP rights to promote Voltaren Gel and Voltaren
Tape as well as any future transdermal formulations
of Voltaren products. NPKK will continue
to be responsible for the distribution and sales
of the products.
NPKK is looking to step up exposure of its Voltaren transdermal products focusing on orthopedic
doctors. At the same time, AKP is seeking to expand in its core competencies, of which orthopedics is chief.
This collaboration will enable these two companies to achieve their respective goals.
About Voltaren
Ciba-Geigy AG, now Novartis Pharma AG, developed diclofenac sodium,
a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, in 1965. Diclofenac sodium was first launched in Japan
in 1974 as Voltaren Tablet. Since then, the Voltaren series of preparations have contributed
to pain care in Japan for over 30 years. Today the Voltaren brands are marketed in about 140 countries.
Voltaren is a most-frequently used NSAIDs and a gold-standard treatment worldwide.
About Novartis Pharma K.K.
Novartis Pharma K.K. is a Japanese unit of Novartis’ pharmaceuticals
division. Novartis is a world leader in pharmaceuticals and consumer health.
In 2005, the Group’s business achieved sales of USD 32.2 billion and net income
of USD 6.1 billion.
The Group invested approximately USD 4.8 billion in R&D. Headquartered in Basel,
Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ about 91,000 people and operate
in over 140 countries around the world.
About Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation
Asahi Kasei Pharma, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan,
is a research-based healthcare innovator that discovers,
develops, manufactures, and markets products for
the pharmaceutical, pharmaceutical intermediate,
diagnostics, biopharmaceutical/biological filtration,
medical device, medical nutrition, and contact lens
markets. Asahi Kasei Pharma is a wholly owned business
unit of Asahi Kasei Corporation, a US$10 billion
technology company that provides innovative, science-based
solutions to a diverse range of markets including
chemicals and plastics, apparel, housing and construction,
healthcare, and electronics.
*Voltaren is a registered trademark of Novartis AG
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