March 26, 2007
Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp.
Eisai Co., Ltd.

AKP and Eisai sign license agreement for Eril® in South Korea
 
Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp. (AKP) and Eisai Korea Inc. (EKI), subsidiary of Eisai Co., Ltd. for sale of pharmaceuticals in Korea, signed a license agreement on March 23 giving EKI rights to develop and market AKP's vasodilator Eril® (fasudil hydrochloride) in Korea. EKI will perform clinical development and file a new drug application in Korea.

With a new mechanism of action which inhibits rho-kinase, Eril® suppresses the constriction of smooth muscle in blood vessels and suppresses neutrophil activity, effectively preventing cerebral vasospasm following surgery for subarachnoid hemorrhage and preventing associated neuronal dysfunction due to cerebral ischemia.

EKI is actively expanding its operations in the field of neurology led by Aricept*, a drug for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The addition of Eril® to its product lineup will enable EKI to further benefit a greater number of patients. With its strengths in the field of the central nervous system, EKI is the ideal partner for AKP to maximize the market potential for Eril® in Korea.

The agreement announced today to expand approval for Eril® enables both AKP and Eisai to gain enhanced presence in their respective fields of focus, for the ultimate benefit of the patient.

* Aricept is a registered trademark of Eisai Co., Ltd.

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