Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd (Chugai) and Taisho Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd (Taisho), announced that a New Drug Application was filed to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for the active vitamin D3 derivative which was discovered by Chugai and co-developed by the two companies for the indication of osteoporosis (eldecalcitol).

It is estimated that 12 million people have osteoporosis in Japan. Treatments to increase bone density and thus reduce the incidence of fractures are necessary since osteoporosis-related fractures reduce quality of life, rendering patients bedridden and increase the risk of death. In the clinical trial, eldecalcitol was shown to improve the bone and calcium metabolism, increase the bone density and inhibit fracture in the osteoporosis patients. Therefore, it is expected that eldecalcitol will contribute to significantly improve the quality of life of the patients.

Chugai and Taisho are determined to make efforts to realize early approval of eldecalcitol as a new active vitamin D3 derivative that enhances effect to bone, and supply to patients and healthcare professionals.