Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. and Eisai Co., Ltd. have signed a licensing agreement regarding "Gasmotin" (generic name: mosapride citrate), a gastroprokinetic agent, for countries including ASEAN members such as Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines on April 14, 2006.
Under this agreement, Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma will grant rights of development, manufacture and marketing of "Gasmotin" in 10 Asian countries including ASEAN members to Eisai. Thus Eisai will be responsible for the development of "Gasmotin" involving new drug applications in these countries.
Gasmotin is a gastroprokinetic agent whose indications are "gastrointestinal symptoms associated with chronic gastritis (heartburn, nausea/vomiting)"in Japan. The drug is a selective serotonin 5-HT4 receptor agonist which stimulates 5-HT4 receptors in nerve plexuses in the gastrointestinal tract and has gastroprokinetic and gastric evacuant effects by enhancing acetylcholine release.
Eisai is actively concentrating on market development activities in Asia including China, India and ASEAN countries. In addition to the sales promotion of such its own products such as the globally marketed "Aricept", a drug for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, and "Pariet", a proton pump inhibitor, Eisai is proactively undertaking promotional activities of other companies' products. In particular, Eisai has a solid basis for product marketing in the gastroenterology area achieved by "Pariet" and "Selbex", a gastritis/gastric ulcer treatment. Eisai expects that the addition of "Gasmotin" to its product lineup will bring greater synergy and allow it to make further contributions to greater numbers of patients in ASEAN countries.
With the agreement announced today, Eisai will aim for the marketing of "Gasmotin" in ASEAN countries as early as possible. Eisai will also achieve an enhanced presence in Asia and make contributions to patients in collaboration with Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma.